“And you, Bethlehem Ephrata, are a little one among the thousands of Judah. From you will go forth he who shall be the ruler in Israel, and his landing place has been set from the beginning, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)
The prophet Micah’s words speak to us about God often choosing the unexpected to accomplish His purposes. Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant town, was chosen to be the birthplace of the Messiah. From this humble place would arise the One whose origins are eternal, the King of Kings. (Isaiah 9:6–7; Daniel 7:13–14)
God’s ways defy human understanding. He delights in using the weak to shame the strong, the lowly to humble the proud, and the small to demonstrate His greatness. Bethlehem’s role in the divine plan encourages us to trust that no matter how insignificant we may feel, the Creator of the universe can work through us for His glory.
As we contemplate the coming of Christ, born in a modest manger in a modest town, let us never forget that the Lord values humility and simplicity. In our own lives, He often works through the ordinary to bring about the extraordinary.
Spend time meditating on how God has worked in unexpected ways in your life. Consider how you can open your heart to His will, even in areas where you feel weak or unworthy.
O Lord, we marvel at Your plan, which uses the small and humble to achieve great things. Help us to embrace humility in our hearts, trusting that You can work through us in ways we cannot imagine. May we never underestimate the power of Your grace to transform even the smallest acts of faithfulness into something eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
