Advent Series: From Purpose To Destiny

Published by davisadmin on

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child.” — Luke 2:4–5

 

How many times have we heard someone say, “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

With Joseph and Mary being in Nazareth, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Remember, the Prophet Micah declared that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.  (Micah 5:2)

Not that anything wrong was going to happen there, but from the prophecy given by the Prophet, we know Nazareth was not the place of birth according to God’s plan.

Somehow and someway, Mary had to get from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

So, they receive the decree.

Luke 2:1, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.”

With no intention on her part, much less that of Caesar Augustus, Mary is brought from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy.

Mary needed to come out from her place of purpose and enter her place of destiny.

You see, Mary’s purpose on earth was to give birth to the Son of God, and her place of purpose was Nazareth. There she received the announcement of the child’s birth, conceived, and received confirmation of what the angel told her.

While in Nazareth, Mary carried the baby until it was time for Him to be born. Then, when it came time to give birth, she and Joseph moved from that place of purpose to the place of destiny – the place where the purpose came into fruition.

See how God strategically orchestrated His plan? And what was the key to the manifestation of His plan?

Obedience.

Caesar Augustus, Mary, and Joseph were all obedient to God’s prompting, and they walked out the divine plan.

As we yield our members unto the Lord, His glory will manifest through us so that all the world can see Jesus, God With Us — Immanuel.

 

The Lesson:

  • We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
  • The plans of the LORD stand firm forever; the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11, NIV)

The Reflection:

  • Has there been a time where you were obedient or not obedient to the prompting of God?
  • What was the outcome?

The Inspiration:

  • “God’s promises are all on condition of humble obedience.” — Ellen G. White
  • “Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22b, NLT

 

Join me next week for Coffee on The Couch