Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Matthew 2:12-14 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.
GOD PROTECTS ALL HIS CHILDREN
God included the Wise Men in the protection plan afforded His Son Jesus. In sending them home by another route He kept the Magi from either helping Herod or incurring his wrath. At the same time the king's horrid response to Jesus' birth was delayed so that Joseph could take flight with mother and Child. More than that, in preserving the life of Jesus, God kept His Son--now the Son of man too--on the path that would finally lead to the cross. There Jesus would be the substitutionary Sacrifice for all people and so secure forgiveness of sin and salvation for the Magi too-- and us as well. An eternal protection plan!
During the past year God preserved and protected you, not only so you might live to this day, but so that you might live with Him forever. Trusting in Jesus, you may continue on into 2016 secure in the knowledge that God's plan in preserving His Son from Herod's wrath so long ago was done with you in mind. Your heavenly Father will not fail you in the year ahead any more than He did at Bethlehem-- or last year for that matter. You can be sure His protection will cover you completely, especially with respect to your faith in His Son Jesus. He will do this to the honor and glory of Christ, and He will do it until that Day when you are safe home with the Father and His Son your Brother.
Holy Jesus, every day keep us in faith's narrow way;
Until earthly things are past and we're in the Father’s house at last.
