READING: Micah 1-7, Nahum 1-3, Revelation 13:11-14:20
Here’s what the prophet Micah wrote more than 700 years before the birth of Christ: “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times” (Mic 5:2). More than 7 centuries before the first Christmas day, God told His people what would happen. He who had always been would come to rule over Israel; the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, a city certainly less significant than Jerusalem yet the birthplace of both David and Jesus. In the words of one commentator, “The unlikely choice of David as king foreshadows the unlikely choice of Bethlehem as the hometown of the greater David.”*
I say it again: more than 700 years before Christ came, Micah spoke of one who would be born in Bethlehem. God kept His Word. Matthew later saw in Jesus’ birth in that place a fulfillment of the plan of God (Matt 2:5-6). This fulfillment was not only evidence of God’s willingness to work through the weak, but it is also a reminder that God is faithful to His own words. All that He has said would happen will indeed come to pass—so we must be ever alert for His personal return He promised according to God’s timetable. He who came the first time will indeed come the second time.
PRAYER: “God, remind me every day that this day could be the day of Christ’s coming.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Prayerfully thank God that He keeps His Word.
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: Habakkuk 1-3, Revelation 15-16
*Crossway Bibles. ESV Study Bible (Kindle Location 233156). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
