I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with bounty, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 31:14

While reading the Christmas story, I was struck by God’s abundant provision for his people. 

The story opens with Zechariah and Elizabeth who were older and had no children. But God had a plan. He opened Elizabeth’s womb, and she conceived a son. She was overjoyed! “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people (Luke 1:25).”

Mary conceived a son as well, the promised Messiah. She was engaged to Joseph, but he wasn’t the father. God was. A pregnant unwed girl could have been stoned. But God had a plan. He provided a safe haven for Mary in Elizabeth’s home. Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord...for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant (Luke 1:46, 48).”

When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, he decided to break their vows secretly to keep Mary from public shame. But God had a plan. He sent an angel to Joseph in a dream, encouraging him to wed Mary because her child was God’s son. Mary and Joseph provided a loving family for Jesus.

Some shepherds were watching their sheep during the night Jesus was born. It seemed like an ordinary night. But God had a plan. Angels appeared to them with a message about the Messiah’s birth and where he could be found. Wasting no time, the shepherds said... “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this (Luke 2:15).”

King Herod planned to get rid of Jesus by killing all the baby boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem. But God had a plan. Joseph had another dream. An angel told him to escape to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to keep them safe.

Do you wonder as I do how things will ever work out? Be encouraged! God has a plan!

Terri