Friday, January 1, 2016
THE WONDERS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE CHILD JESUS (5)
Matthew 2:16-18 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more."
GOD WANTS SOME MARTYRS
If almighty God in His providence watches over us, guiding each and every event, what could possibly explain this "slaughter of the innocents"? How could an all-powerful, loving God allow such a thing?
We have no answer to satisfy our inquiring minds--no answer but this: God wants some martyrs. In the book of Revelation we read that the Lamb of God opened the fifth seal which revealed "the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Lord God, holy and true, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?'" (Revelation 6:9-10)
Over the centuries there have been--and will be until the end--those who (by God’s design!) pay the ultimate price, their lives, for their faith in the Lord. Scripture and church history tell of such martyrs. We may include these boy babies of Bethlehem as unconscious martyrs for the Lord--martyrs now singing the Savior's praises before His righteous throne in eternal glory.
God's providential care does not allow us to conclude that He keeps His children free of earthly woe, ill, and evil. Think of the Savior Himself. As a Child He was saved from an untimely death at the hands of Herod. Yet when God’s hour came, no providence saved Jesus, holy as He was, from being delivered into the hands of His enemies. Bearing our sins, He was crucified; He went through the torments of hell; He was forsaken of God, dying on the cross for our redemption. All of that was part of our Savior God's plan for our eternal salvation.
Consider: when our individual lives appear like the underside of a piece of embroidery, all loose ends and tangled threads, remember that God is at work weaving a beautiful masterpiece. In heaven it will be wondrous to our eyes, and we shall praise Him for it eternally.
Father, let me dedicate All this year to You,
In whate'er my earthly state, In whate’er I do.
Not from sorrow, pain, or care Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer: Glorify Your Name.
If You have for me a cross And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss, Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how Your dear Son, To His glory came
And in deepest woe pray on: "Glorify Your name."
(Christian Worship, 75:1, 4)
