God's providence – Fearless Living

In our story so far, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and told him that his aged wife Elizabeth would have a child and his son John would have a mission given by God in calling Israel to repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah. Elizabeth was about 6 months along when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Mary was told that she would give birth to the Son of God. She quickly headed to Elizabeth and Zachariah’s home to stay with them. Elizabeth confirms the baby Mary is carrying is of God.

Today’s verse is from Luke 1:56 “Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.” Why is this significant? Mary was young and needed emotional support during this time as she adjusted to the changes in her life. Elizabeth was old and needed help as her pregnancy advanced. Mary needed a ‘soft spot to land’ away from prying eyes and wagging tongues while Joseph took care of things. Elizabeth had a husband that could not talk to her and was in need of companionship and physical support. Mary undoubtedly stayed until after John was born, named and Zachariah was able to talk again. God knew that Mary and Elizabeth could be of help to one another at these critical times in their lives and the angel even mentioned Elizabeth to Mary by name. Their love and support for one anther is an example of God’s providential care. God divinely cares for each of us and provides circumstances that will help, support and care for us. Having Mary and Elizabeth live close to one another and being able to come and be with one another shows us God’s care and love for both of these women.

Who can you support and/or care for during this holiday season? Is there someone that you know needs a meal, a card, a phone call, an email, etc. that you could provide? God places us in community to show love and support for one another. Seeking to connect with others with helping hands shows God’s love. Be a Mary or an Elizabeth to those around you this year. You will be blessed.

Linda

Our nativity scenes with the shepherds and Wiseman all present at Jesus’ birth are not actually accurate. The shepherds received the message from the host of angels and went in search of Jesus the night of his birth. Luke 2. However, the wise men did not appear for about 2 years after Jesus’ birth. They saw the star announcing his birth, studied what this star could mean and then decided to follow it. The journey from Persia would have taken months. Their story is recorded in Matthew 2:1-8.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ²“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

³King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. ⁴He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

⁵“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

⁶‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

⁷Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. ⁸Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

Our story has several important players that impacted Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Herod also known as Herod the Great was an evil king who was a controlling, power hungry, non-Jew put in power by the Roman Senate in 40, B.C. He was known to have murdered his wife, his three sons, his brother-in-law and many others. He was ruthless and would do anything to protect his reign. There were the Wise men who were learned scholars seeking truth and this new king who’s birth was announced in the stars. And there were the Jewish scholars who served Herod who knew the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah King. The arrival of the Magi, or Wise Men, in Jerusalem would have created quite a stir and their message was one to put fear into jealous Herod’s mind and heart.

I have always wondered why Herod did not send soldier right then to seek out this ‘king’ but his hesitancy was God’s provision to protect Mary, Joseph and young Jesus. It allowed the Wise Men to find Jesus, worship him and present him with gifts. It allowed time for the young family to escape Herod’s grasp and for the Wise Men, we’ll see, to not be involved with evil Herod’s plans.

Where do you see God’s providential care in your life? Has He rescued, provided or comforted you in some way in 2021? I can only imagine the story the Wise Men had to tell when they returned home about the child king who God protected. What story do you have to tell about God’s provision? It is yours to proclaim and is irrefutable proof of God’s hand in your life. Speak up about God and His loving care for you.

Linda