Journey to Christmas With the Midwives of the Messiah

by Sharon W. Betters

TODAY’S TREASURE

Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

Ruth 2:13

Dear Friends,

Have you ever done a pregnancy test and held your breath with dread, hoping for a negative result? Bathsheba feels your pain.

I think Bathsheba gets a bad rap when she is portrayed as a sultry temptress, intentionally bathing so that King David would lust for her. Bathsheba joins us as we draw nearer to Christmas and her story might challenge you to view her differently, but the gift her life offers is a picture of God’s redeeming love. As we look forward to welcoming Bathsheba on our journey, take some time to soak in these scriptures, filled with the comfort and joy of God’s redeeming love we, too, can and do experience.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me.” Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.

Isaiah 49:14-16 ESV

God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?

Numbers 23:19 (ESV)

“…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you…”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 62: 1-2 ESV

Treasured by Him,

Sharon

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

Prepare for this week’s journey as Bathsheba joins us with these suggested resources:

Read 2 Samuel 11

Read Chapter 4, Bathsheba: Harlots and Heroines, The Midwives of the Messiah

Listen to: Bathsheba – A View from the Balcony, which can be found on the MARKINC.org website under “In His Grip”

Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.

Contact Sharon with comments or questions at d ailytreasure@markinc.org.