The Pilgrim Path---Micah 5: 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 old, from ancient days.

TOO LITTLE?

From the seemingly insignificant---the most significant of all came: The Shepherd from David’s line---who shepherds us All (Jesus). The LORD seems to orchestrate matters this way most often. His ways are not our ways---His thoughts are not our thoughts. He wants and will receive all the glory. I often reflect upon the prophet Samuel being sent by the LORD to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king of Israel. Samuel thought he would recognize the “kingly” one among the sons. Well, it did not happen like that at all. The Spirit of the LORD kept indicating, “No---he’s not the one.” Finally---Samuel had to ask Jesse if there was anybody he had left out? Jesse said, “Yeah---the youngest is watching the sheep.” Samuel said, “Please get him here.” When the youngest showed up (David the shepherd), the LORD told Samuel, “He is the one.” Well—well—well. Man looks on the outward appearance---God looks on the heart. Passed over by family---Chosen by God Almighty. The LORD knows what HE is doing---we often do not know what we are doing. Hmmm, it is best to stick with the dictates of Holy Scripture. Walk in the light the Word provides. What the Word provides is “Big” in terms of guidance---what the world says---if contrary, is wrong and “small.”

Oh---some of the so-called little people have brought me some of the greatest joy. They did not look for accolades---pats on the back---or need their name everywhere. It was enough for them that the LORD Jesus knew they served---and they attempted to serve Him well. This gracious gentleman worked for a janitorial supply company that made stops at the second church I served. We had a contract for entry mats and dust mop heads that were periodically replaced. I got to know this man well. He was a winsome follower of Jesus Christ. He had a Sunday School class of 5th and 6th grade boys at a Baptist Church a few miles away. He thought it a privilege and an opportunity to pour God’s truth into their lives (he had been doing it for some time). When he would open his truck---it was a marvel of order and cleanliness (I guess the way Jesus would have kept such a thing). There are a lot of little people doing incredible work for Jesus Christ out there---actually---in Heaven’s estimation----they may be far larger than we imagine. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first…

“His (Jesus’) rise to universal and eternal significance defies man’s ways and thoughts and can best be accounted for by divine intervention and enablement. Indeed, he triumphs not as the Gentiles by exalting himself and lording it over others and/or by honing his natural resources but rather by committing himself in faith and obedience to his God who elected him and delighted in him. His lowliness with reference to human ambition and standards of strength and majesty, and correlatively his faith in God’s choices and strength, prompted him to ride as a lowly king into Jerusalem on a donkey and its colt, about the size of a great Dane dog, and led him to the despised cross on the way to his exaltation at God’s right hand and his universal sway. History mutely bears witness that human ways to greatness lead finally to humiliating defeat (Micah 4: 14). Whereas God’s ways lead ultimately to triumph (cf. Isa. 55: 8-9).” Bruce Waltke

“Not only when thou wast born into the world did Christ love thee, but His delights were with the sins of men before there were any sons of men. Often did He think of them; from everlasting He had set His affection upon them. What! My soul, has He been so long about thy salvation, and will not He accomplish it? Has He from everlasting been going forth to save me, and will He lose me now? What! Has He carried me in His hand, as His precious jewel, and will He let me slip from between His fingers? Didi He choose me from before the mountains were brought forth, or the channels of the deep were digged, and will He reject me now? Impossible! I am sure He would not have loved me so long if He had not been a changeless Lover. If He could grow weary of me, He would have been tired of me long before now. If He had nor loved me with a love as deep as hell, and as strong as death, He would have turned from me long ago.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

HYMN

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by:

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above;

While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wandering love.

O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth!

And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

Phillips Brooks, 1868

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason