It was week 5 in “It Could Only Be Jesus” and our attention was centered in Luke Chapter 2:

• God specializes in time. In verses 1-7, time is the focus of our reading. We see several things occurring “at the time” Mary is pregnant: ~ a decree comes forth for a census to be taken; ~ since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to return to David’s hometown of Bethlehem; ~ while Joseph and Mary are there, the time came for her baby to be born. Each of these occurrences played a key part in the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus. The timing was critical and only God, the keeper of all time, could have aligned all things so perfectly in time. Galatians 4:4 reminds us as well: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law…” (NIV). The time set by the Father, fully come. God, the Father, set the right time in the course of history for Jesus, the Son to come to this earth. Are you in a season of waiting? May these verses encourage you to keep on waiting and hoping. Our God does not delay, but rather, comes just at the right time.

• He comes to us personally. In verse 11, we read, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.“ Perhaps we should word it such, “A Savior is born to ME.” He came for me, for each of us. May we not gloss over any part of the story but make it personal to us for He is a personal God pursuing us each and every day.

• There’s a time to speak out and a time to be quiet. In verses 15-20, we find the angels exiting and the shepherds entering. Much like a play unfolding and yet, every event so perfectly timed. The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them. They could not keep it to themselves. Mary, on the other hand, “kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often” (verse 19, NLT). The contrast between the angels and Mary stands out. One blurts it all out. The other keeps it all in. Both had purpose within God’s plan. There is surely a time to speak and a time to keep quiet. And then I noticed … Even after having told everyone all that had taken place, the shepherds returned back to their flocks, their everyday life, and there they continued to glorify and praise God. We need to have time alone with God. Time to reflect and praise Him for what He has done, for what He reveals and speaks into our lives.
• We all have something to give. In verse 21-32, the focus centers on Mary and Joseph, and Simeon. The humility found in all three was striking. Mary and Joseph offered the sacrifice of the poor – a pair of turtledoves and two young pigeons. They gave what they were able to give which brought the reminder that we all have something to give. Whether great or small, may we give as we are able to our Lord. Simeon … he was a righteous and devout man who was eagerly waiting for the Messiah. May we all feel called to live as he did – righteously, devoutly and eagerly waiting for Jesus.

• Time is in His hands. We closed out the week finding God at work in the Temple. In verses 33-38, we find Simeon speaking a word over the baby Jesus as he blessed Him. Mary and Joseph, hearing every word, were amazed. Anna, an older prophetess, was in the Temple also hearing every word: “She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God” (verse 38, NLT). Anna – 84 years old, a widow, who faithfully stayed in the Temple worshiping day and night. Her faithfulness was rewarded that day as she saw and heard the blessing given to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Here again we find something occurring at just the right time, the fullness of time. May this breathe hope into each of us. Anna challenges me to be as faithful as she, even when older, after loss and a lonely life, she remained faithful. She remained focused. She remained hopeful. “And this hope will not lead to disappointment” (Romans 5:5, NLT). “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9, NIV).

There again we see the words “at the proper time”.
Time is all in His hands.
May we be faithful to Him for all time.

The first week of this study can be found > HERE ”“ One Sufficient Sacrifice.
The second week can be found > HERE ”“ Faith, Hope & Assurance.
The third week can be found > HERE ”“ Precious is the Name.
The fourth week can be found > HERE – Blessed to Believe & Share

Today I am joining … Trekking Thru the Week and Tell His Story and Grace Full Tuesday and #RaRaLInkup .