Taxes, Detours, and the Sovereignty of God

Dear friends,
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to revisit a few thoughts from a Christmas message in 2008. I believe it will be an encouragement to you wherever you might find yourself this Christmas. The first advent of Christ was an awesome event and we look forward to the second advent which is nearer now than when we first believed. I pray we will all have room in our hearts this Christmas for the one whose coming we celebrate. May you be encouraged by the awesomeness of our God.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1
Why is it that tax notices always come at the end of the year right before Christmas time? No, I'm not trying to make that spiritual, but just to say, I'm sure Mary and Joseph were probably not excited about traveling all the way to Bethlehem to be registered for taxes. I know I wouldn't have been happy about it. Think about for just a moment; here is Mary probably 8 or 9 months pregnant or as the scripture said great with child and the getting word that they must go 70 miles on foot to be registered for a tax levied by the empire that held their people captive. I can't imagine a pregnant lady that far along having to walk 70 miles. I know pictures show Joseph leading a donkey on which Mary was riding, but personally I doubt that they had a donkey. He's not mentioned in scripture and we know that Mary and Joseph were very poor. We know this because when Jesus was dedicated they sacrificed pigeons which was the sacrifice of the poor who could not afford a lamb. ( God has chosen the poor, rich in faith.) It is quite probable that Mary in her very pregnant condition had to walk the entire way. I have found that the ways of God are not always comfortable. He is more interested in developing our character and the fulfillment of His purposes than our convenience or comfort.
Mary and Joseph were devout in their faith. I don't know how much of the scripture they knew or how well they understood prophecy. It is not likely they got up that morning and said we need to hurry to Bethlehem so Jesus can be born there. You see in the purposes of God a pagan emperor by the name of Caesar Augustus had a role to play. God used a pagan emperor to position Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem at the set time, the appointed time of God for the Christ child to be born. God had foreordained that the Bread of Life be born in the House of Bread (Bethlehem).In Greek we have at least two words for time. One, chronos is regular time but chairos time is the appointed time, the set time or appointed time. Mary and Joseph, being obedient servants did what was required of them and in the walking out of the chronos the chairos came. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. You see God can use things we see as difficulties to position us for the blessing. Let's look at another couple of examples.
What about the Old Testament Joseph? God had given him some great prophetic dreams concerning his future. Yet, we find him first in the pit, then Potiphar's house as a slave and then in prison. He had all those detours before reaching the palace. Those detours positioned and prepared him for the fulfillment of his God-given dreams.
Then there was King David. He was anointed as a king while yet a teenager and then spent years in the wilderness dwelling in caves fleeing from Saul. Often the trials we face are proportionate to the level of authority God wants to entrust to us. Tribulation works patience and patience has a perfecting or maturing work. (James 1) We see those trials in Paul's life as well. Tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience or proven character. (Romans 5)
Our tribulation, our detours, may be positioning us for the blessing of God. They may be preparation for something greater. God may be preparing us for a new level of authority. I don't know what you may be going through; it may be problems of your own making, but be encouraged. God is able to bring redemptive purpose out of everything that comes into our lives. He's good that way.
Friends, Jesus came during a very dark time. There had been no prophetic word for 400 years. Israel was under the dominion of the Roman empire. The Light was revealed at a dark time in history, but like Isaiah's prophecy in chapter 60 we can say in our day,
"Arise, shine for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Is. 60:1-3.
I believe this is to be the church's finest hour. It is time to shine. It is a time of shaking, but the glory of the latter house comes forth after the shaking.
A good many years ago as the pastor was reading the Christmas story in the school chapel, the Lord spoke a word to me when he read about the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. He said, " Those shepherds who have been faithful in the dark of night are the ones to whom I will reveal my glory." You faithful church leaders, some of you feel almost like God has forgotten you, do not be discouraged. God will reveal great things to you in the days ahead.
I had not intended for this to turn into a potpourri, but God can use that, too. I hope this has been encouraging to you. Thank you so much for your encouragement to me over the years. I pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas season and that 2012 will be a blessed year for you. 12 is the number of government and I pray God's divine order for you life. His kingdom come! His will be done! God bless you.
In His love,
Herb Dean