GOD WILL FIND A WAY TO HELP YOU
Glory to Jesus!
And we will read one of the most famous stories – the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
And we will try to learn some important lessons for ourselves.
I believe that the Lord will speak into each of our lives today, because He always has words of guidance, comfort, and encouragement for everyone.
So, let’s read from Luke 2:5-7:
“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 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.”
Try to visualize and feel what was happening at that time:
1. Regardless of the holiness of the moment, Jesus was born in a barn because all the inns were full.
2. There were no relatives or friends around Joseph and Mary to support them at this moment and
share their joy.
3. And it seemed like nobody in the world cared about what was happening in that barn.
4. In such a situation, it is even possible to think that God has forgotten about them too.
But let’s read further.
Luke 2:8-14:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
So, on the day of His Son’s birth, God arranged for a choir of angels.
Do you know anyone else who had a choir of angels sing at their birthday?
If you have enough money, you could hire the most famous singers and the best musical band to perform at your birthday… but you probably can’t hire a choir of angels.
But that’s not all. After the angels left, we read:
Luke 2:15-20:
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”; So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
We see that God took care to make sure there were guests at the birth of Jesus, so that Mary and Joseph wouldn’t be alone in their joy.
Let’s read further.
After 8 days, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple, and there they met Simeon and Anna.
Luke 2:25-38:
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”; The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him… There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
The temple was the most important place for the Jews!
Imagine that Joseph and Mary walk into the holiest place for them, and there are two respected people (Simeon and Anna) already waiting for them! They greet them! They are happy to see them!
Imagine you have to go to Parliament in Ottawa to solve an issue. When you enter the building, you are greeted at the door and told, “We have been waiting for you for years! They are happy to see you and try to help you with everything.
Let’s read one more story related to the birth of Jesus.
Matthew 2:1-2:
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked”;Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:9-11:
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”
Here is another interesting story.
At the time Mary was forced to give birth in a barn with nobody around her, God made a special star appear in the sky (maybe a comet, maybe a planet — we don’t know). But we know that some people, living very far from Jerusalem, saw it and understood that it was time to pack up their caravan, load it with treasures, and set off!
And after some time (Jesus was already probably 2 or 3 years old.), those people from the East arrived to see Joseph and Mary and brought Jesus gifts worth a fortune. They worshiped Him, acknowledging His royal birth.
And here’s what this story tells me…
Perhaps at some point in time, we feel like we are alone with our problems and that no one cares about us.
No one knows what is happening in our lives and has no idea what struggles we are facing.
Just like Joseph and Mary, who were in a barn, knowing they had to give birth there.
But the good news is that God will find a way to help you!
Sometimes He uses something or someone close by. Like the shepherds, who were near the place where Jesus was born.
Sometimes you will receive support from something or someone that was prepared in advance to help and support you — like Simeon and Anna, who had waited their whole lives to meet Jesus.
And sometimes God will bring someone from the other side of the world to solve your problem and show you that you are important to God!
Maybe in the difficult moments, hours, days, or years of our lives, we are so overwhelmed by our problems that we don’t even notice God’s love and care...
But I want to tell you that somewhere, already, a caravan is on its way, loaded with everything needed to solve your problems!
May the Lord bless you!
Amen!
Vova Kaziuk