“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Matthew 1:6
Jesus was born and Magi were coming to worship Him. King Herod heard about this and was disturbed. He was the king, so why would people start coming to worship a new-born baby? As King Herod looks into this, he finds out where Jesus was to be born.
The priests and teachers tell him that this person was to be born in Bethlehem and they quote verses from Micah 5:2, 4. Over 400 years before, Micah had prophesied that a ruler would come out of Bethlehem to lead the people.
Bethlehem had not been known as a town that raised up kings. Nor did the kings set up their throne in Bethlehem. It was looked at as a small insignificant town. Yet, God had very big plans for that town.
Out of this “small” town would come a ruler who would lead all of Israel. His rule would then cross national boundaries and go across the entire world. He would become the long sought for Messiah.
Many times in life you may look at your own life the same way the people of Bethlehem looked at their town: small and not worth much. You may look at your life and ask yourself who you are to do anything of value for God.
While it is true that in and of yourself you have no real value, it is not true in God’s sight. God sees you of high value and great importance to His kingdom. Jesus paid the price of death to get you into God’s kingdom. Although you may see yourself as least, God sees you as a great leader. Every believer is called a priest and will one day be a ruler.
God fills you with His Holy Spirit to guide you and strengthen you. With God all things are possible. God is more than willing to use you to do great things for Him.
Keep yourself open to being used by God. Be willing to be used. God may use you to change an entire nation, or He may use you to change the lives of some people. Either way, it is a mighty job for God’s kingdom. Think about it, if one person comes to salvation in Jesus through you, you saved a person from death. What greater honor is there than that? You are not least when God is with you.
I pray today that God will show you works to do for Him; that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit to guide you; that you will allow yourself to be used to build His kingdom; and that you will see how valuable to God’s kingdom you are in Jesus.
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