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. Luke 2:7 NIV
A year or so earlier, when Joseph and Mary pledged their love to each other and planned to get married, they had no idea that they would be giving birth to a baby, before they had even been together…..but God knew!
After the initial shock of angel visitations, as Mary and Joseph planned out the next nine months, they had no way of knowing that a trip to Bethlehem would be thrust upon them in the final days before giving birth…..but God knew!
As they made the arduous journey to Bethlehem, they couldn’t imagine there would be no guest room available once they arrived…..but God knew!
Had they ever imagined they’d be chosen to birth and raise the long awaited Messiah? Not a chance! When the night arrived, did they contemplate the thought of the birth taking place in a barn, or wrapping this miraculous baby in cloths and placing him in a manger? Never. Nor did they expect visiting shepherds and traveling wise men bearing valuable gifts! But God had all the details worked out in advance. Nothing was by chance. Nothing that happened surprised Him or knocked Him off his game!
Joseph, this young Jewish carpenter, was no doubt used to mapping out the details before beginning construction. After all, carpenters work from a blue print, carefully designed before the first piece of wood is cut. Yet that’s not the way the biggest events in Joseph’s life were going to play out. He would just have to trust God and respond faithfully as God revealed His plan one day at a time. We all like to operate from a well thought out plan of action, but more often than not, God keeps us on a need to know basis. He has the plan, and we have Him!
If we know God and are serving Him, we must navigate through life with the understanding that God is in control, and with each unexpected twist and turn, remember that God is never taken by surprise. While Joseph struggled to find lodging and wrestled with disappointment that the barn was the best he could do, angelic hosts were sending shepherds to look for a baby lying in a manger. Think that through and let it sink in!
God was not only aware of the details that would surround the birth of Jesus, He was the driving force behind them! God’s intervention in our lives is no different. He is always in control and never at a loss! God has the plan, and we have Him!
I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NIV