God Will Accomplish His Will
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.
Luke 2:1–4
Caesar Augustus was a pretty big deal. His rule came after Julius Caesar was assassinated and was challenged by Mark Antony, who would have had him killed but a peace agreement was made, with power shared between 3 men. This agreement was breached when Mark Antony divorced August’s (then named Octavian) sister and tried to run off with Cleopatra. Because of that affair, Augustus pursued Antony who fled to Egypt with Cleopatra where they both committed suicide. This resulted in an undisputed rule for Augustus.
So when we read that “a decree went out from Caesar Augustus”, we should see that not only as a man in power making a decision, but all of these events that had to take place just for this man to be in power in the first place.
“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21).
There is nothing that happens on this earth that God isn’t in control of. A man like Augustus was the antithesis of Jesus Christ. A proud man, boastful, unfaithful, and power hungry, Augustus is the classic image of an emperor and king. But in this, God was orchestrating all things to fulfill the prophesy he had long ago spoken about the birth of his son.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days. “
Micah 5:2
Jesus was going to be born in Bethlehem. It came about through the form of a census, ordered by a power hungry, greedy Caesar, who used censuses to raise more money through taxes to increase the size of his kingdom. Here was a man who, unlike Jesus, grasped onto his power with all of his might. But God worked out his perfect plan in spite of all of that. Caesar Augustus was just a tool in God’s hand to fulfill his plan.
It is easy to fear the future when we disagree with our government. When we don’t agree with the values of those in power. When our lives are made more difficult and our suffering may increase and our freedoms may be lost. But in all things, we can trust that God is in control!
Can you imagine how hard it must have been for Mary to travel in her pregnant state? It was about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. For my New Mexico friends, that’s twice the distance from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. Can you imagine having to travel that far, on foot or on a donkey? While you’re nine months pregnant?! I could barely get out of bed when I was that pregnant. But this hardship had a purpose, God had a plan. Trust that God is working through your struggles right now. What seems to be unfair, too hard, or too inconvenient may all be part of God’s plan to bring about salvation in your life and the lives of those around you. Trust him.
