December 24 – Time Out of Mind

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  Micah 5:2 (NIV)

When the wise men arrived in Jerusalem to ask where the King of the Jews had been born, King Herod called together those who would know.  Those who had studied the prophets replied that it would be in Bethlehem and quoted from the prophet Micah. “They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’””  Matthew 2:5-6 (NASB)  So, Herod gave the wise men directions to Bethlehem.  But none of Herod's advisers read for him the last part of the prophecy from Micah. They are very significant words and a promise for all  of us.  They tell that Jesus came from eternity. The word that Micah used translated in our verse as “from ancient times” means literally “from time out of mind” or from a time beyond our minds ability to comprehend – from eternity.  And that He would be ruler over Israel. This promise which begins thousands of years before Herod hears the prophecy was now being fulfilled in Jesus. 

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October 10

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:8 (NIV)

Do you ever wonder what your status is with God, the great ruler of the universe? If you have accepted Jesus Christ by faith then the words of this verse are for you. When we make the decision to accept Jesus as our Savior and step out to follow Him, our status with the Creator God changes. Instead of being strangers living as we please, we become members of the family of God. Is it not encouraging to know that God recognizes that change? After that He looks at us and thinks of us as being His very own sons and daughters. And we can look to Him as our very own Father with all the love and attention that this implies. 

May 18

“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”  1 Timothy 6:15-16 (NIV)

Our God has given us His Word to reveal to us who He is and how great He is. These verses are descriptions of His glory. This is the God we serve and we need to be reminded how glorious He is. Actually, the reality is beyond our ability to comprehend. As we read, no one has ever seen God. No one this side of eternity can hope to see Him. He lives in unapproachable light. But this is the God we serve. We are mortal. He is immortal. But we mortal can praise Him and bring glory to Him by what we do.

April 6

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

We realize that there are people who have heard of the name of the Lord who don’t really believe in Him. So these words must mean something more than that. It is not enough just to KNOW ABOUT the name of the Lord. We need to know His name by experience. We need to know that He is the Lord, the Ruler, the Owner of the universe. We need to recognize Him as our ruler – the Lord of our individual lives. As He rules the universe He is able to supply our needs. As He is our Lord we know we must obey His Word. So to Know the name of the Lord and all it means, inspires trust and confidence in Him.