Today's Verse: Matthew 2:6

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

 Donate Now
[As the prophet Micah has written:] "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."
— Matthew 2:6
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem was no accident. The Almighty God had foretold this many years earlier through his prophet Micah. Even Herod's religious lackeys could determine that the Messiah was to be born in the quaint old city of David. The human birth of the promised Messiah would occur in the city of Israel's great King, poet, and shepherd, Bethlehem. This was God's plan, even though the town was otherwise of little significance or size. Jesus being born in Bethlehem is also a reminder that God keeps his word and fulfills his promises to bless and preserve his people and bring his Messiah.

My Prayer...

Loving God, I have a hard time trying to complete my plans and fulfill all my promises. This makes the unfolding of your plans as foretold throughout the winding story of the Old Testament, so amazing to me. You accomplished what you promised a thousand years earlier through the lives of thousands of people, involving many countries, and through the intrigues of countless world leaders! So, please use your Spirit to remind me during my soul's darker moments that you are going to fulfill your promises and bring your deliverance in your time. Please give me more patience as I seek to wait faithfully and to live courageously for your salvation to be fully revealed. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, December 20, 2015

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 146:5-6
"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Collision of Heaven & Hell'
"Dear Holy Child of God, Many folks pause this time of year to remember My birth. That is a good thing. They rejoice with the angels singing praises....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Leaping for Joy!' (Lk. 1:41)
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby [John the Baptizer] leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Never Abandoned in the Storm' (Acts 27:39-41)
"[After battling a fierce storm for two weeks, Paul had the people on board the ship take nourishment.] When morning dawned, they didn't recognize the..."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 2:6 — [As the prophet Micah has written:] "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse