Faith is easy when life is easy. It is easy to have faith when nothing is difficult and we have everything we want and need. On the other hand, faith is much more difficult when life is difficult and we face hardships and confusion. Despite the difficulties, faith is not truly faith when we don't have any struggles or needs. Faith requires trust and confidence that God will always care for us, especially during trials and difficulties. Mary and Joseph learned that God would care for them when they had many difficulties.
When Mary was very pregnant with Jesus, a new decree was issued by the emperor of Rome to take a census. For this census to occur, everyone was required to return to their hometown. "Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. This was not an easy journey. They would likely have to walk on foot or travel by donkey. I am sure this travel felt like a significant inconvenience and hick-up in their plan for Jesus' birth. While they were there, Mary was ready to give birth. They faced another hiccup. There was no place for them to stay. God provided a place, a stable where animals were kept. It was unconventional, but it was shelter. In these humble circumstances, Jesus was born. It was not an easy journey, and the circumstances of His birth were not what Mary and Joseph likely hoped. However, God provided. He took care of them.
My friend, God always provides for us. His provision may not always look how we hope, but He always provides. He is good. He takes care of us and gives us exactly what we need. He has provided for our greatest need through Jesus, who rescued us from sin and death. We can trust in His care and provision for us every day.
Spend some time listening to the song Good (Can't Be Anything Else) by Cody Carnes. As you sing, focus on the lyrics, remembering God's goodness. He is Good and can be trusted in all circumstances, even when we face trials and difficulties.
"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."
