26 Dec God’s Unfathomable Ways
Last Sunday, Pastor Ken continued our Christmas series, God Does the Impossible, with a sermon from Luke 1:39-56. We further considered the mystery of how God uses the humblest of means and ordinary people to accomplish his magnificent, glorious plan of saving the world. As demonstrated in Mary, the only appropriate response to the mighty God of our salvation is worship, trust, and obedience.
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
This Sunday, Brock Bass will close our Christmas series with a sermon from Matthew 1:18-25 and will present us with this glorious truth: God does the impossible; the birth of Jesus Christ reminds us to always submit our plan to God’s greater plan. As you prepare your heart for our gathering, let this devotional from John MacArthur remind you that God’s ways are infinitely higher and greater than ours.
Reflect: “God’s Unfathomable Ways”
“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:8
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Christ’s humiliation displayed God’s wisdom.
Somewhere along the path of Christ’s descent, you’d think He would have said to Himself, These people really aren’t worth redeeming. This is too degrading and humiliating! But the grace and love of God toward sinners was such that Christ stooped to die for you and me. At the end of Paul’s doctrinal survey of salvation in Romans, he said, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (11:33). He was in awe of God’s plan of salvation—a plan no man would have devised.
If we had planned the Incarnation, we probably would have wanted Christ to be born in a palace. His family would have been wealthy and prominent, and He would have been educated in the finest universities with elite teachers and the best tutors. We would have orchestrated events so that everyone loved, revered, honored, and respected Him. He would have been in all the prominent places and met all the prominent people.
We would not have had Him born in a stable to a poor family. He would not have spent His youth in a carpenter’s shop in an obscure town. Rather than a ragtag band of followers, we would have made sure He had only the best people as His disciples, and they would have had to pass stiff qualifying tests for the privilege.
We would not have allowed Him to be humiliated. We would have imprisoned or executed anyone who spit on Him, pulled His beard, mocked Him, or hurt Him. Our plan for the Messiah would have been very different from God’s plan, and, as a result no one could have been saved. It’s no wonder the psalmist said, “Thy judgments are like a great deep” (Ps. 36:6). God’s ways are unsearchable, His truths profound. And His plan to redeem us was accomplished by Christ’s humiliation.
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Suggestions for Prayer: Daniel prayed, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him” (Dan. 2:20). Like Daniel, worship the only wise God, who saved you.
For Further Study: Read 1 Peter 2:21–24. What did Christ leave you (v. 21)?
“God’s Unfathomable Ways,” December 11th Devotional in Strength for Today, by John MacArthur.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Angels from the Realms of Glory / Emmanuel,” Arr. Paul Baloche
2. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear / Glorious,” Arr. Paul Baloche
3. “Joy to the World / Our God Saves,” Arr. Paul Baloche