Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1-7 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The question is, why was there no room for them in the inn? In American Christian theology, especially as expressed on Christian television, there would be room in the inn, for everyone knows God takes care of his own. Definitely, the message implies that God always makes the road smooth if you pay your tithes and give your gifts, planting seeds of faith for a harvest in your life. And if you do the right things, live the right way, God will make everything work out perfectly for those who love him. My comments are stretching a point, but this is what many high profile people are teaching in our day. Does God really want any child to be born in a manger, outside of the warmth of an inn? The obvious answer is no, but difficult things do happen to Christians--manger experiences. Many Christians who believe God directs them experience life in a humble stable rather than in an immaculate inn, and often "good" believers (Job's comforters) judge them wrongly, intimating that sin and disobedience landed them in their difficult circumstances. Some Christians will say that stable dwelling is their obvious reward because they lacked commitment to God. Yet others, the more rational "good" Christians, will tell them that they didn't make reservations soon enough; anyone's life would be out of control with such haphazard planning. The consensus is that these sinful, uncommitted, and unprepared people deserve the stable, not the inn.

But the Bible indicates that a stable life just happens sometimes, regardless of our lifestyle or good intentions. Christian lives are not necessarily smooth or free from errors with comfortable transitions from one wonderful experience to another. Sometimes garbage happens to us, and troubles abound in our lives. Solomon wrote, I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV) Even Jesus mentioned his lack of a home and material goods. In the natural, dead ends do exist. Seemingly impossible situations are often our inheritance. Occasionally, we will find ourselves in a desert place with our spirits wound tightly and anxiety abounding, wondering how we got there. Regardless of where we are or how we feel, GOD STILL KNOWS WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE. HE IS INVOLVED WITH US WHETHER WE ARE IN THE STABLE OR IN THE INN.

Gospel truth reveals these difficult life experiences as times of faith building. Mary believed she was carrying God's child whether she was in the stable or the inn. We must believe God is with us whether our lives are smooth or not. In the dry seasons when we feel abandoned, we must believe rain is on the way, and God is nurturing us through the drought. The Bible says faith pleases God; faith is the catalyst to fellowship with him. His presence is with those who endure, those who believe, regardless of life's difficulties. Elizabeth and Zechariah pressed on; they stayed the course. Mary and Joseph pressed on. Jesus promises to be with us, whether we are in the stable or the inn. He did not leave us comfortless. We do not press on alone; the Comforter is with us whether the course is smooth or rough, especially when the terrain is steep. However, the Holy Spirit may be reticent to speak if we disbelieve his abiding presence. For sure, if we faint, if we turn back to the beggarly elements of this world, we will be lost in our self-will. James wrote that a double-minded man is unstable and in need of cleansing. But if we continue to believe despite our circumstances, the Spirit will be near to help us. He will comfort us. He will urge us to persevere. The victory goes to those who remain in the battle. Mary and Joseph were in the fight that night in the stable. They were still in the battle, and the Son of God was born. Child of God, Christ wants to birth new life continuously in you to meet your needs and to bless those around you. So do not get discouraged if you are in a dingy stable. God is with you, and He brings the light and the warmth of heaven.