Luke 2 - 7.1.22
Scripture
Luke 2:6-7
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Observation – What does it say?
The circumstances seem less than ideal for Mary and Joseph. About nine months earlier, Mary had received word from and angel that she would give birth to the Savior of the world. But though she is about ready to give birth now, on the surface everything else would seem to suggest God has abandoned them. How could this be part of his plan?
Surely God knew this census would take place, he couldn’t have adjusted the delivery date so they wouldn’t have to travel several days on horseback while she’s 9 months prego?
If God was in this whole thing, why did they show up and have no room to stay in?
However, what hit me is that the next verse says an angel appears to shepherds announcing the birth and a massive choir suddenly appears in the sky praising God for what he was doing through Mary in that moment.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Heaven often sees things differently!
There are times the circumstances seem terrible from our human perspective, but meanwhile all of heaven is rejoicing about what God is doing in and through us. We may be confused, wondering if we’re in the right place. We may be asking, “Didn’t God initiate this? Where is he now?” and “Why are we here?” and “Why is this so hard?” But meanwhile, heaven sees that God is changing history through us.
When God calls us or gives direction or a prophetic word about the future, we tend to fill in the rest of the picture and what we think he means and what it will look like. One of my biggest sources of disappointment has been my own fault: putting expectations on God he didn’t agree to, and then getting upset when he doesn’t meet them. Just because it doesn’t turn out like we imagined doesn’t mean God has left us or we mis-heard him.
Over and over in scripture we see that heaven views things differently. The cross looked terrible to the disciples until they understood what God was accomplishing through it. Prison looked terrible to Paul until he understood that it was God’s means for bringing the gospel to kings and governors.
Someone once said, “God never contradicts his word, but he often contradicts our understanding of it.” He will bring to pass every word he has spoken, though it may look differently than we hoped or imagined. His ways are higher than our ways and thoughts higher than our thoughts.
Life Application
Ask God to help us see from his perspective.
God, forgive me for the times I have complained and doubted when my circumstances didn’t seem ideal and when you didn’t answer my prayers in the way I thought you should. I trust you will be faithful to every word you have spoken. Even when things look bad on the surface, I trust that you are “working everything into conformity with the purpose of your will” (Eph 1) and “in all things you work for the good of those who love you.” May we not complain with men but rejoice with heaven. Amen.
-Levi Thompson