The last post discussed the miraculous way that Jesus Christ’s birth fulfilled so many prophecies; yet, I want to take that same discussion a little further. By doing so I hope that you may recognize God’s absolute Sovereignty over every detail. He really does work all things according to His will. No matter what! He reigns supreme. Even when all that surrounds us appears to have fallen into shambles and our hearts are bleeding from the pains. From the beginning, He knew that without the freedom to say no to His love and righteousness, we could never really know the depth of His love, His Grace, or His Magnificent Glory. Before the foundations of this world were laid, He knew that many would reject Him. Although His desire was that all would come, He knew there would only be the few. Yet, He loved each one with such an intensity.
Willing to suffer all the agonizing pain of His creation’s rejection for the sake of all those who would become His Children. He knew that Satan would try to thwart His plans. Furthermore, he knew men and women’s desire for self-exaltation would cause them to chase after frivolous attempts to find glory. Immediately after Adam chose to sin against God, the plan of salvation was revealed. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:14-15). The first revelation the Savior would be born of a Virgen, for it was the seed of a woman only.
According to His Will
How sorrowful it must have been when all the world had turned to their own ways. Evil filled the earth as none could be found that truly worshiped God apart from Noah. His father, grandfather and great grandfather stood firm on faith instilling that same faith in Noah. Standing alone, Noah was called upon to build an ark that would provide a means to continue humanity when God poured forth judgement. Thus, God preserved a line from Adam to Jesus Christ who would come to bring salvation. God called forth Abraham, out of an idolatrous country to establish a lineage for Christ to be born. Despite all the attempts of Satan to destroy this plan, God preserved the line so Salvation could be given.
When famine struck the land, God had prepared a way for the children of Israel to be preserved in Egypt through one faithful servant, Joseph. Ah, but the people became complacent and content there. They did not return to their own land. Rather, they overstayed their time. Later, the rulers of Egypt changed, and the new Pharaoh feared their power, enslaving them. Yet, once more they were rescued by God’s mighty hand of Grace. Certainly, Grace it was for they were so often a murmuring, rebellious group. Yet, all of this prepared the way of Jesus Christ who was to be a prophet likened unto Moses to lead His people (Deuteronomy 18:15-18).
Remember the parallel Hosea presented. God called His Son out of Egypt. Another prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. Furthermore, before Christ’s birth King Alexander of Egypt had given refuge to many Jews in Egypt and built a Jewish temple there making it the perfect refuge to send Joseph and Mary with the young child to get away from Herod’s death sentence.
Despite Them,
Back to Moses and the nation. The people finally returned to their land; but, did not want God alone to rule them. Instead, they wanted a King like every other nation. God granted them their wish. However, in doing so He also established the lineage of Christ through King David-heir of Judah as prophesied. God used even their bad decisions to work together to work all things ultimately according to His Will.
There were many Kings of Israel throughout this history. A few were good; although, many were evil. The people followed the evil kings, chasing idols and vain worship. It was necessary to punish the people by allowing evil nations to overtake them, thus cleansing the nation for those few who remained faithful. Otherwise, evil could win. Prophets were sent and foretold of the coming Messiah. Every detail being prepared, from the Babylonian exile to Persia’s hand in the restoration of the temple. God even took all their failures and used them to present to us Christ Jesus as the only way of Salvation. What amazing Grace that is!
God’s plan was never thwarted by all the evil plans of men, women nor Satan. Through the corridors of time, He marched forward. Despite the sorrow, He never grew weary nor chose to quit. He still sent His son to die for this bunch of rebels. Even knowing He would be rejected, particularly in Nazareth where His Mary and Joseph were chosen from. Nazareth, the great “nowhere” Galilee would become His place of name. Jesus of Nazareth would be the name most often spoken of Him while here on earth; yet, it was He who came to save the world according to His will.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Throughout the corridors of history, God remained in control. Every detail of Christ’s birth foretold, and every detail orchestrated with perfect harmony, that we might KNOW beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin, sent to pay the price for my sin that I might be saved. Thousands of years patiently God prepared every detail leading up to His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection. But the story is not finished, for He will come again to establish His Kingdom. Those details we will look at later in this series. Yet, we can rest assured that those details will be as exact as were those about His birth.
Even more amazing, He does the same with every detail of my life. His desire is that I grow in Him, knowing Him better with each beat of my heart. Therefore, He orchestrates every detail. At times, He watches with sorrow as I stretch my wings desiring to fly without His sustaining Spirit to guide me. Still, when I fall, He even uses that failure to draw me ever closer to His Heart. One day, I will realize He is truly everything I need, my greatest treasure. That day, I will trust Him fully. No doubts, no worries left; because I know the deepest depth of His love for me. He truly does work all things together according to His Will and His Will is for my good always.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). That would be me, the ungodly, He died for in due time when all was prepared and ready. God’s timing is always perfect.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Series: Finding Faith on the Road to Emmaus
How Can I Be Certain Jesus is the Christ?
Was Jesus the Savior they Waited For?
How was Christ’s Suffering a Part of His Glory?
Why is it so Important to Know All the Truth?
How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.