The Innkeeper

 For some unknown reason the innkeeper in the Christmas story gets thrown under the bus. No room for Jesus! I have heard that sermon preached.  But, just because there was no room in the inn, he  did find a place for them. Joseph and Mary were thankful to have the manger. I wonder if the innkeeper's wife helped Mary deliver her baby?

Because of the decree of Caesar the whole world was in upheaval. People who never traveled were struggling to travel and to find accommodations. If you could lodge and feed travelers you would have made a lot of money during this time. So, God, who knows the end from the beginning, told the prophet that a virgin would have a son and that the son would be born in Bethlehem. God had already seen that event take place.

There are streams of God's purpose that are at work in the world today that are bigger than you, or your family, or your church, or our Fellowship. Just because we do not see or understand does not mean that God is not at work. Ours is never to ask why, but to ask what, or when, as it relates to us. God never shoots from the hip or reacts. He always knows what to do and when to do it. 

One rule of Bible prophecy that will keep you from unwise speculation is that the prophets were shown a snapshot of the future. They only saw a glimpse when something would actually happen. We can think that we understand, and once in a while we are correct. Like Peter on the day of Pentecost we can rightly say, This is that!

One day it may be that we can look back and see how God worked everything out. We see this in the Bible, when on the road to Emmaus Jesus opened their eyes and showed them how all that he did was in the Scriptures.

The secret to all ministry and preaching is not to be an expert on ancient history, but to be able to apply ancient words to current affairs. To be able to apply the Bible truths to our current circumstances.

One final thought. Pastor Mitchell was one of the wisest men that I ever knew. But he never professed to know everything. But, by keeping us on track with what he did know, pastor Mitchell saved us from  winds of doctrine that will lead us to destruction or irrelevance. Thank God for good pastors! And for the innkeeper!