(A Countdown to Jesus’ Birthday)
On the ninth day of nativity – God provided wealth, well in advance of their need.
When Jesus was born, His star settled over His humble birthplace. That was when God brought His birth to the attention of men who lived very, very far away. That night, they began a long, nearly-two-year journey to worship the Christ child.
Matthew 2:1-2 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Along with their joyous and humble worship, the wise men also brought costly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. While these were representative of the life, death and ministry of Christ, they were also a financial blessing from God.
As soon as the wise men left, Joseph, Mary and Jesus began their journey into Egypt, where they lived until the death of Herod. That journey, as well as their housing, provisions, clothing, and animals for the next several years would have, no doubt, been financed by those wonderful gifts from the wise men.
How good is our God?!! I may be facing a need 2 years from now for which He is right now making provision. Even more poignant is the thought that I may have a need today for which He provided 2 years ago, or perhaps even further back than that!
Our God sees the end from the beginning. Time is laid out before Him like a scroll and He sees all of our lives, intertwined and separate, our birth to our death, in one sweeping glance.
We can trust Him to meet every need. No matter how quickly our crisis arrives, it does not catch the Eternal One by surprise!
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Obtaining Mercy 