It's Working Together for Your Good

In Luke 2, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken throughout the Roman empire, and everyone had to return to their ancestral towns to register. Because Joseph was of the lineage of David, he had to travel to Bethlehem with his wife, Mary, who was “great with child” (verse 5).

Of course, many people were upset because of the tax, but God allowed it to happen because it was in line with his will. Hundreds of years before, the Holy Spirit moved on the prophet Micah to prophesy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). He had a place ordained for the birth of his Son.

I feel the Holy Spirit. God has a place with your name on it. He has a destiny for you, and he is behind the scenes like a puppet master, orchestrating the events in your life, making all things work together for good. The Bible says, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). Hallelujah.  

So, Joseph and Mary packed their bags and headed to Bethlehem. “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (verses 6-7).

Jesus was willing to leave all the glory in heaven, come to this earth, and be born in a stable. He was willing to humble himself, and if you are willing to humble yourself, God will promote you. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

You may be in a stable right now, but you are headed for glory. You may be in a pit, but God has a palace in your future. The Bible says, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Glory to God.

Watch this. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (verse 8). And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of God surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (verse 10).

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (verses 11-12).

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (verses 13-14). The word “good” in this verse means “kindly intentions, delight, pleasure, satisfaction, benevolence.” God has good intentions for you. Praise God.

He has a plan for your life, and the enemy cannot stop it. God announced the birth of his Son through a choir of angels. He put a big star over the exact spot where Jesus was born, and there was nothing the devil and his demons could do about it because God is in control. He is all-powerful.

And he is in control of your life. Your life is in God’s hands, so do not worry how everything is going to work out. Stop trying to figure everything out because you can’t. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

You may have encountered some challenging circumstances this year, but do not be overwhelmed. There is a purpose for everything you are going through, and God will bring you out. He has a plan for your life, and when you are connected to his plan, he will work all things together for your good.

God bless,
Pastors Sean and Aimee Pinder