God Had a Purpose
Part 3 of the “O Come Let Us Adore Him” Series
When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. 2 The more they called them, The more they went away from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. 3 Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in My arms; But they did not know that I healed them. 4 I pulled them along with cords of a man, with ropes of love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; and I bent down and fed them. – Hosea 11:1-4 (NASB)
13 Now when they (the Magi) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” – Matthew 2:13-15 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
When Joseph follows the instruction of the angel to leave with Mary and Jesus for Egypt, Joseph does it without knowing how long they will stay or what their next step will be. The prophecy of Hosea and the eventual return of Joseph’s family from Egypt gives us clues to how the life and ministry of God’s Son will embody the history of God’s people. We can remain expectantly hopeful while waiting on God by recalling God’s past faithfulness, remaining faithful where God has planted us, and trusting God’s timing for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Have you ever taken a risk on something that you weren’t confident would succeed in the long run?
Doubts can arise when we step out in faith to follow God’s leading – especially when God calls us to go somewhere we don’t want to go or do something we feel unqualified to do.
Sometimes stepping out in faith means leaving where we are and following God to an unknown destination.
God severely interrupts Joseph’s plans.
We don’t have to understand the plan to trust God has a purpose.
Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the advice of the Lord will stand. – Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)
Our disappointment with God might actually be a divine appointment from God.
Joseph obediently followed God’s prompting to move his family to a land far from home.
Jesus epitomizes and fulfills Israel’s history.
Have you ever waited a long time to hear from God?
Has it ever taken longer than you’d hoped for God to answer your prayer?
It can be frustrating to wait on God when we are ready to charge ahead.
A time of waiting may be used to prepare for what is ahead by . . .
Mary and Joseph had a plan. God had a purpose. We were that purpose!
She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21 (NASB)
13 Now when they (the Magi) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” – Matthew 2:13-15 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
When Joseph follows the instruction of the angel to leave with Mary and Jesus for Egypt, Joseph does it without knowing how long they will stay or what their next step will be. The prophecy of Hosea and the eventual return of Joseph’s family from Egypt gives us clues to how the life and ministry of God’s Son will embody the history of God’s people. We can remain expectantly hopeful while waiting on God by recalling God’s past faithfulness, remaining faithful where God has planted us, and trusting God’s timing for the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Have you ever taken a risk on something that you weren’t confident would succeed in the long run?
Doubts can arise when we step out in faith to follow God’s leading – especially when God calls us to go somewhere we don’t want to go or do something we feel unqualified to do.
Sometimes stepping out in faith means leaving where we are and following God to an unknown destination.
God severely interrupts Joseph’s plans.
We don’t have to understand the plan to trust God has a purpose.
Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the advice of the Lord will stand. – Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)
Our disappointment with God might actually be a divine appointment from God.
Joseph obediently followed God’s prompting to move his family to a land far from home.
Jesus epitomizes and fulfills Israel’s history.
Have you ever waited a long time to hear from God?
Has it ever taken longer than you’d hoped for God to answer your prayer?
It can be frustrating to wait on God when we are ready to charge ahead.
A time of waiting may be used to prepare for what is ahead by . . .
- Staying in constant communication with God through prayer.
- Seeking God’s direction through Scripture.
- Remembering God’s faithfulness to God’s promises in the past.
- Trusting God’s timing by not forcing something to happen.
- Remaining faithful to what God called us to do.
Mary and Joseph had a plan. God had a purpose. We were that purpose!
She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. – Matthew 1:21 (NASB)