In a few days we will be entering a New Year. As a child I thought something magical happened on New Year’s Eve and now I realize it’s no more than turning the pages on a calendar.
People spend a lot of time thinking about the future and wondering what it holds for them. I’m sure that Mary and Joseph also spent time wondering about their future.
A new son. Not just a son, the Son of God, had come to live with them and life as they knew it was going to change. Have you ever thought about what happened in Mary and Joseph’s lives after Jesus was born.
“The time came for Mary and Joseph to do the things the Law of Moses taught about being made pure. They brought Jesus to Jerusalem so that they could present him to the Lord. 23 It is written in the law of the Lord: “When a mother’s first baby is a boy, he shall be called ‘special for the Lord.’” 24 The law of the Lord also says that people must give a sacrifice: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.” So Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to do this.” Luke 2:22-24 ERV
The Scripture really doesn’t give us much insight into the lives of the young family. We do know that Mary and Joseph were required by Jewish law to offer sacrifice for cleansing, a woman was considered unclean for seven days following birth, and then a first born son also had a special offering to be made.
What did they do for those seven days? Bethlehem was almost one hundred miles away from their home in Nazareth. They didn’t go home. Did they stay in Bethlehem for the seven days. If so, what did they do? We do know they came to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer the proper sacrifices. The trip to Jerusalem was only 5 miles. An easy walk, even for a new mother.
Now it was time to return home to all the relatives. Would there be a celebration or would they shun the young couple and child? Again we don’t have any information on their day to day life. Many times we wonder if God is concerned about our day to day life.
He is! He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to give us strength in all things. He has told us to pray without ceasing – to rejoice always – to come boldly to His presence in our time of trouble. Money won’t solve our problems; our own abilities will leave us lacking; worry and anxiety change nothing; it is God who has the answer and the help we need in every situation.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be happy with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you or let you be alone.” Hebrews 13:5 CEV
“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV
“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV
“Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 NLV
My 2019 has some big unknowns. I am really excited to see what the future brings. Each day is a blank slate and the outcome is unknown to us but just remember there are no “unknowns” to God. Nothing catches Him by surprise.
“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV
Trust in the Lord today and He WILL direct your path.