TLIC FAMILY. PROVERBS. DECEMBER 21: REIGN.

THINK TOGETHER.

Have you ever been asked to obey something that you thought was wrong?

READ TOGETHER

Luke 2:1-5. ¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And 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, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Because Joseph and Mary were descendants of King David they had to travel from Nazareth way up north to Bethlehem way down south. Why? Because the king (emperor) Augustus told everyone to go back to their original home and register for a census, a count, of all the people. Joseph, a son of David, went to Bethlehem.  

Did you know that every ruler that’s ever lived was put in that place by God?

Proverbs 8:15. By me [God] kings reign…

Wise children listen to God, and the rules of those in authority. That’s what Joseph did. Joseph listened to God and stayed with Mary. He betrothed himself to her to be her husband. (Do you know what betrothed means?) He protected her and the unborn Jesus. Even though he didn’t know what was going to happen day by day, he still obeyed God.

Joseph also listened to the rules of the authorities. When the king told everyone to travel to their ancestor’s home town, Joseph did it. He obeyed the law. He followed the rules. He went to Bethlehem. Even though it wasn’t easy.

God wants us to obey those in authority because he put them there. Do they always get things right? No. But they are part of God’s plan. Joseph did what the king said to do and it was all part of God’s plan. Jesus was supposed to be born in Bethlehem, and he was. Why? Because Joseph was wise and obeyed.

Because of Jesus God has a purpose for all things, including those in authority.

With Jesus we can obey those in authority.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

List some of the people who have authority over you. Did God give them their authority? Are they easy to obey, or hard to obey?

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, help me to be wise and obey you by obeying those you have put in charge over me. Amen.