Christmas Hope - Hope, Unexpected
Christmas shows that when we least expect it, God shows up.
Share a time when someone has unexpectedly shown up for you. How did that make you feel?
Read The Balaam Story in either form:
The full story: Numbers 22-24
The condensed story: Numbers 22:1-6, 23:1-8, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, 24:1-5, 10-11, 15-17
Have you encountered this story before? What is your reaction to it?
In what ways did God show up to protect the Israelites?
Read: Numbers 24:17
Prophecies in Scripture often have multiple levels. In what ways do you see this verse fulfilled at different times in Scripture?
How does this verse point to Jesus?
Read: Matthew 2:1-2
Even though there are echoes of Numbers 24:17 in the worlds of the Magi, Herod and all of Jerusalem were surprised and troubled that a king had been born in their city. God had shown up unexpectedly.
When has God shown up unexpectedly for you?
How can you adopt a posture of gratitude in your daily life?
Prayer: Pray that God will open your eyes to the ways in which He is unexpectedly at work around you, and thank Him for what he is doing!