Behold. Our King.
In the days leading up to Christmas, we place ourselves in the seat of those who waited, yearned, and sought the Lord for the promised King. And we marvel anew at the faithfulness and deep love of God in the realization of his promises in Jesus.
This advent, we invite you to join us in the practice of scripture reading, memory, and prayer as we journey through the prophecies of the Messiah and their fulfillment in the birth and life of Jesus.
Pray:
As we enter into a time of reading Scripture, ask, “Lord, would you allow me to slow down and hear your voice today?”
Lord, I’m reminded today that my ideas of what is best, most beautiful, and to be praised pale in comparison to you. You move in the unlikely, unexpected, and underwhelming. You take what is insignificant in the eyes of the world and create the magnificent and miraculous. Would you remind me today that apart from you I can do nothing, but your power in me brings you glory? My life is yours. Setting aside all that is me in exchange for what is of you, may my life, a living sacrifice be pleasing to you. Use me to bring the hope of you to those around me today.
Scripture:
Take your time reading through the passage. Read the passage 2 or 3 times, each time asking the Lord to speak to you as you meditate on His word.
Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
on the cheek.
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.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
Micah 5: 1-5
From a place of brokenness would come the redeemer of the world. From a place of weakness would come an everlasting kingdom. From a place of insignificance would come the King of Kings.
Memorize:
In Psalm 119, the psalmist writes, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, so that I might not sin against you.” In memorizing scripture we place our minds in submission to the Lord. Focusing on God’s word aligns our thoughts with truth and helps us live our lives transformed in the likeness of Christ.
Micah 1:2
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.