Big God

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.” —Luke 2:1–5

 

If you are lacking entertainment, turn on the news.  Yes, I know the news is anything but entertaining unless you consider Psalm 37:13, “But the LORD laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.”  Consider this: an otherwise insignificant simple man and woman expecting their first child is relocated from Nazareth to Bethlehem at the appointed time, and God uses the Roman government and the Caesar himself – well, it’s nothing but entertaining!  Like Joseph and Mary, we are caught in the political, moral, and social battles of our day, yet God is Sovereign and does not relinquish rule over good or evil.  “It is not our prosperity but our holiness that He seeks with all His heart. And to that end, He rules the whole world.”  (John Piper, Good News of Great Joy).  The God Who put the census in the mind of the ruler and guided Joseph and Mary to the prophesied birth place, is the same God Who ordains each day of your life.  Be awed at our Big God!