“What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:1–7)

Have you ever had something happen in your life where everything just seemed to fall into place?  Maybe you were trying to buy a house, and one thing after another happened to make it all go smoothly. Or you were contemplating a new job, and suddenly one door after another opened for you. Some people attribute such things to the planets aligning. You and I know better, because we know the one in control. When He determines the time is right, he shows us that.

Paul speaks of that in today’s reading. “When the time had fully come” is another way of the time was just right. God in His infinite wisdom determined that the time of the Roman empire, when Caesar Augustus was emperor, was the time for Jesus to be born as one of us. He was “born under the law” so that He could live the life of perfection we have not and can not live. His death redeemed us, bought us back from death and sin, making us sons who are heirs to everything God has promised: forgiveness, salvation, and life everlasting.

That is good news for today and everyday.