"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet OUT OF YOU shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." "And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, . . .” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:4&5 NKJV)
PONDER THIS!
The town of Bethlehem is located five miles from Jerusalem. At the time of Jesus' birth, Bethlehem was no more than a small, "ghetto.” No one of any wealth or prestige would have lived in Bethlehem. This was an area for the lower class poor. Bethlehem's claim to any attention at all was that it was the birth place of king David, but it was a forsaken slum area at the time Mary gave birth to her first born Son. And yet, in spite of its condition, the prophecy of Micah was that the King shall come forth from Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
1. Did you grown up in "Bethlehem?"
2. Has your life been like "Bethlehem?"
3. Are you living a "Bethlehem" experience right now?
Bethlehem is a place that no one wants to be in. A place of gloom, despair, poverty and need. How many of us feel like we are in "Bethlehem?" You might be there now. In fact, all of us, at one time or another, have been in "Bethlehem." But here is the word of the Lord for you today, "OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH" something good.
Although you might have grown up in "Bethlehem," or you might be living a "Bethlehem" experience right now, if you allow God in, if you let Him work with you and in you, "OUT OF YOU" shall come forth something special.
Don't give up in your Bethlehem. Don't allow your condition or your circumstances to fool you into believing, "this is it" and "it can't get any better." God knows how to work with your "Bethlehem." And God declares over you right now that "OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH" something wonderful. OUT OF YOU!