Steps of Faith- Advent week 4

Mic. 5:2-5a
Luke 1:47 or
Ps. 80:1-7
Heb. 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

Mic. 5:2-5a, prophecies of a ruler that will come out of Bethlehem. This is an interesting statement since all the kings were to come through Judah's tribe. But God changed that when he choose David to be the king over his people. You see, David was from the tribe of Benjamin, who was the youngest son of Jacob. Also David was the youngest boy in the family. This goes totally goes against their culture, as the oldest son of Jacob in a family should get such an honor. But God changes the culture and gave this honor to David's offspring, the tribe of David. And Jerusalem was the city where the king lived. this is why they did not see Jesus as the Messiah. They were waiting for a ruler from the city of Jerusalem, not Bethlehem.

Ps. 80:1-7, was written to be sung by the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. In it, we see the people crying out to God to not be angry with them any longer, but to come and save them from their enemy. Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph's sons that he had while he in Egypt, so they were from the tribe of Joseph. Joseph and Benjamin were both sons of Jacob's favorite wife, Rachel. History shows that they went through many trials at the hands of their enemies. So it would make since that they sang these words.

In Luke 1:39-55, we see Elizabeth and Mary praising God about Jesus being the fulfillment of promise that God had made to Abraham and his offspring, of how he would sent someone to show mercy towards them. Some believe that they sung these words.

Because of the Jewish peoples disobedience over the generations, God allowed their country to be overtaken by enemy countries. But behind the scene God was always working on a way to save his people from their enemy. What they did not realize was that the enemy God was talking about was not the countries, but Satan. You see, Satan is the enemy of our souls. In god's mercy, he sent Jesus down on earth Christmas day to become the Spiritual Ruler that would defeat Satan, save us from his kingdom of darkness, and rule over us with love. All we have to do is reject the kingdom of darkness, and accept Jesus as our Savor, and make him Lord, and King of our lives.

Challenge of the week:
This week, take the time to ponder on the great love God showed when he sent his beloved son to earth for you. (write these thoughts down). How will these truths change how you will celebrate Christmas? (write down).

This week's accomplishment:
How did the above truths change you and how you will be celebrating Christmas differently?