When the time had fully come, God sent his Son.
Galatians 4:4
Timing
Barton Mitchell served as a private during the American Civil War. He fought for the North. Things were not going well for the Northern army. Things were going so poorly, in fact, that Great Britain was on the verge of recognizing Southern independence. If the South could gain just one more victory, Great Britain might intervene on behalf of the South. In other words, if the North lost one more battle, it might lose the war.
Which brings us back to Barton Mitchell. One day, Barton and his comrades were on a hillside, taking a break from their march. The place where they were resting was a former campsite for the Southern army. As they sat, Barton looked down and spotted some cigars wrapped in a piece of paper. Interested in the cigars, Barton picked them up. And that's when he discovered that the paper around the cigars contained the marching plans for the Southern army. Quickly, Barton passed the paper up the chain of command. The information he found that day was enough to give the North a much-needed victory.
In so doing, Barton Mitchell may well have saved his country. It was one of the most dramatic episodes of good timing that history has ever seen.
But there was a far better episode of good timing: the one that took place in Bethlehem.
The apostle Paul wrote, "When the time had fully come, God sent his Son." At a time when the Roman Empire ruled the known world; at a time when immorality and religious confusion seemed rampant; at a time when many of God's people felt isolated and forgotten—it was in that moment when all things were ready. It was in that moment when God demonstrated that he was in control. It was in that moment when God sent his Son.
As you stare at that new calendar on the wall, keep in mind that God's sense of good timing has not changed. The One who sent his Son at just the right time to cleanse you from all sin—he is the same One who guides all things. He is the same One who holds and blesses every moment of your life.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are the One who sent my Savior into this world at just the right time. Move me to trust your timing in every aspect of my life. Amen.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He [Jesus] will be called a Nazarene.”
Matthew 2:23
The Small Details
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.” While most people try to practice this philosophy, God doesn’t. He pays very close attention to the small details. This becomes clearly apparent when I consider God’s plan to rescue me and all people.
It would be easy to focus on only the big picture that Jesus died and rose again. Certainly this is true and very important. Still, it would lack what some of the smaller details provide. Consider the simple words: “He will be called a Nazarene.” It would be easy to dismiss this. However, the city in which Jesus lived his early life becomes important when I consider it in the context of what precedes it: “So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets.”
Jesus’ early life in Nazareth was recognized throughout his ministry. He received the title Jesus the prophet from Nazareth. He was known throughout Galilee and Judea as Jesus the miracle worker from Nazareth. He was finally crucified under the sentence, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.
God’s attention even to this small detail leads me to trust him. God is faithful in everything. Nothing escapes his divine attention or merciful care. So when I am struggling, burdened, or on the verge of despair, God knows and God provides the help I need. Even more important, I have the assurance that my rescue is complete. God did not overlook or leave even the smallest detail to chance. So when Jesus said, “It is finished,” everything that was promised and required was completed perfectly. The forgiveness of my sin, the freedom from death and the devil, the promise of life in heaven is certain—nothing was overlooked or left undone. Even the ability to trust that God has rescued me through Jesus has been given to me as a free gift of God’s love.
All this leads me to rely on the peace, joy and undeserved love of God’s merciful care. My confidence is the result of one simple truth: God pays attention to the small details.
Prayer:
O gracious Lord, because you know and have all things in your control, give me the faith to trust in your care, and in the rescue you have provided through your Son, my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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