Category — A Christmas Message For The New Year

When Joseph obeyed God (at great cost to himself and Mary) very little seemed to go smoothly. He obeyed exactly but nothing seemed to fall exactly into place…at least first time round. In Matthew 2:21 Joseph obeyed the angel’s instructions and departed for Israel, in v22 he is confronted with a very real danger, was genuinely afraid and had to be directed to Galilee by yet another supernatural intervention.

There are times when doing the right thing seems to raise as many questions and challenges as it does answers. This is when the walk of God really does feel like a step at a time. You are in God’s will, the general direction is definitely right but you only recognize and encounter the difficulties enroute. Christ’s New Year message to you is simple, be faithful…things aren’t all over the place they’re all falling into place. Selah! 

In Matthew 2:23 on their return from Egypt Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus finally settle in Nazareth. In doing so fulfilling the prophecy that Christ would be called a Nazarene. They had been guided to Egypt in the first place to avoid the pending slaughter of all infants 2 years old and younger by King Herod. However, this was the direct fulfillment of prophecy as accounted in Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt have I called my son…”.  

 When you obey God powerful challenges and even enemies may arise but remember there are no re-directions in God. Egypt was planned and so was Nazareth…their lives were not subject to changing circumstances. In fact even when facing mortal danger for the second time (v22) God’s plan for them was perfectly falling into place. Joseph learned that following the dream you have in front of you (v19-20) will one way or the other lead you to the next one (v22) and ultimately to your final destination (v23).

Follow your dream…there are more to come! God does not change strategy according to circumstances. He has a plan, you’re in it and nothing and no one can stop it. Obey your latest instruction because the next one is not far away. Whatever your Herod or Archelaus might be don’t be discouraged for even the difficulties that arise are going to be used by God to get you to exactly the right place at exactly the right time. You are a planned person on a planned journey with a planned destination.

Zacharias had long since given up on his prayer for Elizabeth to have a son (Luke 1:18 reading verses 1-18).  Despite this he reveals the depth of his commitment and character by being faithful to God continuing to love and serve Him into old age (Luke 1:8-9). That said, Zacharias was to find found out that when you make a special effort (despite how you feel) you don’t have to be a special case for God to answer your prayers. He learned that simply being faithful to a God that specialises in the impossible guarantees the right answer at the right time. God answered his prayer, gave him what he thought he could never have, giving it to him with perfect timing and left him speechless…literally! Luke 1:13 – 20.

Luke 2:25-26 reveals all we need to know about Simeon…he was totally committed and completely faithful.  It didn’t matter how many years he had waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled Simeon maintained a deep and close relationship with God.  For when the time was right, when the time was perfect God moved on Simeon with a supernatural ease that only intimacy allows (Luke 2:27-28). The sovereign hand of God made sure that a faithful Simeon was in the right place at the right time for the right result.

Anna was a woman who had lost her husband 84 years before the birth of Christ (Luke 2:37). Never loosing her first love for God, full of faith and faithfulness she was constantly at church serving and worshipping.  It was not a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit that brought her into the temple at exactly the right time.  It was not an angelic visitation from which she received instructions to go to the temple and meet the Christ.  It was in fact a devotional life style daily putting herself into the presence of God that placed her perfectly to meet His greatest gift to the world, “… [Anna] departed not from the temple but served God…night and day…And she coming in that instant gave thanks…”  (Luke 2:37-38). When you draw near to God He will draw near to you healing your hurt, healing your body and leading you perfectly in the days ahead. “Submit yourselves [and]…Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:7-8).  

No matter how long it has been.  No matter how many doors have actually, literally closed never forget that a faithful God answers faith filled prayers. Whether you have a supernatural helping hand (Luke 2:27) or you just turn up the way you always do (Luke 2:27-28) staying faithful puts you on a collision course with your miracle.

If there is one underpinning Christmas message for the New Year from Zacharias, Simeon and Anna it is simply…be faithful, because so will God!! You don’t have to be a special case.  Just do not loose your faith in a supernatural God of grace.

Thought: The Lord Jesus Christ reigns in your life in this incoming year…don’t let any thought, anyone or anything convince you otherwise.  2 Corinthians 10:5; Psalm 56:9-13 (read 1-13); Hebrews 13:5-6.