God Shows Up in Hard Seasons

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king. - Matthew 2:1

The timing of Jesus’ birth is just as important as the birth itself. Scripture tells us plainly that Jesus was born during the reign of Herod. That detail matters because Herod ruled through fear, violence, and insecurity. He was threatened by anything that challenged his power.

This was not a peaceful season. Families were under economic strain. A Roman census forced people to travel under harsh conditions. Taxes were rising. Children were at risk. Political fear filled the air. Many had likely given up hope that God was still paying attention.

And yet, this is the season God chose to enter the world.

God did not wait for stability. He did not wait for safety. He did not wait for moral leadership or favorable conditions. He showed up in the middle of chaos. He arrived quietly, on the margins, without fanfare.

This truth is comforting for anyone waiting for life to calm down before expecting God to move. Scripture shows us that God often moves when conditions are at their worst. His timing is not dependent on human approval or political peace.

The birth of Jesus reminds us that evil may be loud, but it is not sovereign. Oppression may feel overwhelming, but it is not permanent. God is always doing something beyond what power structures can control.

The arrival of Christ during such a dark season was a declaration. Fear does not get the final word. Violence does not determine the future. God is still writing the story.

Hard seasons do not mean God is absent. They often mean God is closer than we think.