But God SeesDevotion In Motion
Morning Inspiration
Luke 2:1-3
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.”
Augustus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, was one of Rome’s most successful emperors. It was said, “He came to a Rome made of bricks and left it a city of marble.” Augustus transformed the whole empire with his mighty armies and extensive roads. Even a salad was named after him, the Caesar Salad… His given name was Octavius, but in 27 BC the Roman Senate came to him with several titles – “king,” “emperor,” “dictator.” He chose “Augustus,” “the revered one or the one to be worshiped.” Obviously, he didn’t lack for ego.
He claimed to be a god. In fact, this census was prompted by his ego. Augustus wanted to demonstrate the vastness of his kingdom, and inflate an already bloated pride. Yet here’s the irony… The man who thought he was a god, and acted to prove his supremacy over all the earth was in reality being manipulated by the one true God. Some 700 years earlier Micah, the Hebrew prophet, foretold that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Now God has a problem… Mary is about to deliver her Son, and she’s 100 miles from the God-appointed maternity ward. A still small voice won’t be enough to get Joseph to take his very pregnant wife on a 3 day donkey ride. Nothing short of a royal edict will move them… Yet that’s exactly what God arranges. The arrogant Caesar in Rome flexes his muscle and expects the whole world to move. In reality he’s just a puppet on a string. The shots are being called in heaven – not Rome.
Caesar’s decree is the only reason Joseph would uproot his pregnant wife from her home and risk the rugged journey to his hometown of Bethlehem. Notice too, while the world’s eyes were on Rome and Augustus, the attention of heaven was on a peasant couple traveling down the Rift Valley from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I’m sure Rome and its Caesar dominated the day’s headlines – while Joseph and Mary weren’t even a back page story.
Realize the news that interests this world isn’t always what interests God. The kindness you show to one in need, the faithfulness of a father to his kids, an offering given to your church may not get reported on the evening news or go out on the internet, but God sees. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
A young man in the army confided to his padre that he never went about with another girl if he was within fifty miles of home, his loyalty went fifty miles. How far does your loyalty to Jesus Christ go?
Notice it doesn’t say perfect but loyal. That’s a relief to me because I fall so very short of perfect and so do you. The question comes up: what are you loyal to this Christmas season, money, family, job, your desires, or your discontentment or worrys. The eyes of the Lord are on you and on me.
History’s most important event is about to occur in Bethlehem – angels will look on – but not a single reporter or camera will be there to cover the story but God sees!!!!!
Amen
Victor Tafoya
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