Insignificant

​1/4/21
Today’s devotion for today is based on a prophecy by Micah as it is recorded for us in Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Jesus was born in a small, what some would call an obscure village, thus fulfilling a prophecy made some 700 years earlier. But why Bethlehem? There is a couple of reasons.  One could be that the word Bethlehem means “place of bread.” The “Bread of Life” is born in a town called “place of bread”  I don’t think that is an accident.
But more importantly, Jesus’ birthplace fits God’s pattern of using the seemingly powerless and puny to showcase his gracious power. He chose David, the youngest son of Jesse and the least impressive of all his other sons, to become the greatest king of Israel. He chose an unknown girl from Galilee to be the mother of his eternal Son. He chose a feeding trough to cradle the mightiest, most glorious King of kings. He chose nails and a wooden cross to be the means by which he redeems the world. He chose an empty tomb to be a symbol of life and hope.
Let that serve as a reminder to you of how meaningful you are to God. No matter how little you may feel or how far you’ve fallen—you are not insignificant. He chose you. He cares about you, and he will use you if you let him!
Please pray with me the prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, remind me today of how precious I am in your sight. I realize that I don’t deserve your love and favor, yet you sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world—my Savior. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray. Amen.