So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem… — Luke 2:4
Like migrant workers, Joseph and Mary seem always on the move. Mary travels to Judea, stays with Elizabeth, then returns to Galilee. The Romans tell Joseph that he and very expectant Mary must make a difficult journey. They try to settle down in Bethlehem, but a power-mad king drives them away to Egypt. Yet Egypt isn’t home, so they head back to Judea, and change their destination mid-route – ending up in Galilee. When the story picks up again, Jesus is twelve, and, once again, they are traveling.
Roman oppression and gossipy prejudice accounted for most of these migrations. These relocations could seem arbitrary, but they aren’t. Every time, without realizing it, they hit the bullseye of God’s perfect plan.
When we seem in the grip of forces we cannot control, let’s remember that stronger arms are at work, and God will not let something so small as a power-mad king — or, for that matter, all the legions of hell — meddle with His perfectly crafted plan.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.