December 16 – Day 17
Galatians 4:1-7
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
God’s plan is never slow or late; nor is it ever too little or too much. God’s plan is perfect in timing, amount, means and fulfillment of all He purposes. All the way back in Genesis 3 as God calls to Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening, only to find them hiding in shame, God reveals the plan for redemption He had in place since before the foundation of the world was laid. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15
Notice it is God who will put enmity – war and conflict – between Satan and the woman (and man). We were not created to embrace nor live for ourselves. We realize we were created for more than satisfying ourselves. But the innate sinfulness of our nature makes this impossible to see, understand or live out when we are left to our own devices. The reason is that sin separates us from God, that relationship is actually dead. But reread the last part of verse 15, God is going to make a way, God is going to fight the battle, God is going to redeem man from our sin.
Yet we read through the Old Testament and God confirms this promise over and over without the actual fulfillment until “the fullness of time had come.” We could look back through history and try to figure out what made this time “full” such as the Pax Romana (peace of Rome), the highway system, the common language, and more facts. What makes it “full” is that this is the timing and plan of God for the hope of humanity, that The Son of God would come and be born of a woman.
What we celebrate at Christmas, the incarnation of Christ, is a testimony to the wisdom, love and sovereignty of God to fulfill His promise and plan to redeem and adopt all who will believe in Christ for the salvation found only in Him.
Think of the bounty of gifts that come all because of the incarnation: redemption, salvation, life, adoption, the Holy Spirit, and the intimacy of relationship with God we have never known before His great gift. This passage reminds us that God’s plan and timing is always best. What is it that you need His wisdom to determine about life this Christmas? May you seek Him and His wisdom as a loving Father, Abba (Daddy).
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
