Charles Stanley Daily Devotional (December 1, 2024) Our Coming Hope.
This Christmas season, remember and celebrate the joy and hope we have in Christ.
Micah 5:2 - ``But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies about the coming Messiah. A few of them probably left people wondering how one individual could fulfill such lofty promises. The birth of such a person would be “good news of great joy,” just as the angel proclaimed (Luke 2:10 - But the angel said to them, ``Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people). The Messiah would be ...
A descendant of Abraham seated on David’s throne. Matthew and Luke trace Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). God promised that all nations would be blessed through Abraham (Genesis 22:18 - ``In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."), and Isaiah prophesied that Christ would reign forever on David’s throne (Isaiah 9:7 - There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.). The gospel writers showed that Jesus could claim direct lineage from both of these men.
A man born in Bethlehem yet called out of Egypt. Though the Messiah’s predicted birthplace was Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), He was expected to come out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1 - When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son). We know that a census brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem just in time for Jesus to be born. And Matthew’s gospel explains the rest of the mystery: To avoid Herod’s jealous rage, the family fled to Egypt, returning to Israel only after the king was dead (Matthew 2:13 - Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ``Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him."; Matthew 2:20-21).
God was specific in describing the Messiah so people would recognize the Anointed One and take joy in His coming. Today, as Advent begins, let’s remember this good news and rejoice.
Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 14-16
