Verse of the Day 12/8

Through the Bible - Hosea 3-4, Revelation 2

 

Good morning,

As we go through the Christmas season I would encourage you to read the accounts of the events in the gospels.  As you do, try to put yourself in the place of the people.  Today we'll go to Matthew chapter 1.  Try to think what Mary had asked Joseph to believe. Then try to think of Joseph's reaction to the visit of the angel of the Lord in a dream.

Matthew 1:22-23 (New International Version, ©2010) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

The angel's message was confirmed by the prophecy of Isaiah some 700 years earlier.

 

Isaiah 7:14 (New King James Version) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

 

Each step along the way the people in the story from the wise men, to Mary and Joseph to Elizabeth and Zacharias, to Simeon were all challenged to believe.  As they saw God's plan unfold their believing, their trusting was confirmed.

 

Faith may not come all at once but step by step God reveals His plan.  The individual events may be difficult to believe, but when you step back and take a look at the whole picture you begin to see, to accept the reality of His tapestry.

"The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies in its place in the sequence of steps that led the Son of God to the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this context. "- J. I. Packer - Knowing God

Though not a Christmas hymn, read these words from "It is Well With My Soul" that speak of the blessed hope, the blessed rest of our soul.

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul

 

But, Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Matthew 1:18-25 (New King James Version)

Christ Born of Mary

   
¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. ²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³ "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, ²⁵ and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS