King of Kings: An Advent Plan by New Life ChurchSample

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are of the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” Micah 5:2  

Bethlehem wasn’t known for being mighty. It was a small, humble town known more for its past association with King David than anything current to the time Jesus was born. Yet how often does Scripture show it’s the delight of God to bring greatness out of the unexpected? In fact, it was in Bethlehem generations before Jesus’ birth that God spoke to the prophet Samuel, “The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) While the rest of the world may not have expected much of Bethlehem, God chose this quiet, unassuming place to be the first to encounter the long-awaited Messiah. 

Just as many saw only their need for a physical (outward) freedom, God knew that without freedom in their hearts, they would never walk in the abundant and free life as He intended. He sees our hearts, too. He knows that our brokenness and need for Him go much deeper than our appearances. Our Savior didn’t come to bring a temporary solution to physical needs that would come and go.

Prayer: God, thank You for seeing all of me. Search me from the inside out and show me what You see. Is there anything I need to change? Is there anything You want to celebrate and further cultivate in me? 

Application: Write down three things to celebrate and three things to change, along with a practical step to begin each one.