Saturday, February 11, 2017
Matthew 2:7-8 (ESV) Then Herod summoned the wise men ... And he sent them to Bethlehem....
LET YOUR WORD SHINE
If you have ever felt "alone," felt as though everyone else finds comfort, meaning and purpose in life through the philosophy of this world without actually kneeling before the King, be assured you are not alone. Such a strange predicament can result from following the logic of our own mind. It was logical for the wise men to think that the new-born King would be found in the palace of Jerusalem, and they wound up in the stronghold of one of Jesus' fiercest enemies.
The thing that set them on the right course again was the Word of God through the prophet Micah:
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, ... out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel (5:2).
And even though Herod tried to use the Word of God to fight against God Himself, that Word was still trustworthy and turned the wise men in the right direction. Herod did not trust the Word enough to go to Bethlehem himself and never found the Child he so much wanted to kill. But all the time that Word was completely trustworthy. And it will be for us also, even if others try to use it for their own self-serving purposes.
The Word they still shall let remain,
Nor any thanks have for it.
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
Then let your Word within me Shine as the fairest star;
Keep sin and all false doctrine Forever from me far.
Help me confess you truly And with all Christendom
Here hail you King and Savior And in the world to come.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 130:6)
