DEVOTION – DAY 208

Matthew 2:13 “In God’s Hands”

 

Matt.2:13 “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.”

 

The background to this verse was that King Herod plotted to kill the infant Jesus fearing that Jesus would one day usurp his right to the throne of Israel. After the Magi had left, God sent an angel to warn Joseph in a dream, to flee to Egypt for a while with his family, in order to escape Herod’s evil plot.

 

So, Joseph woke from his dream and immediately woke up Mary. He told her to quickly get the infant Jesus ready for they must leave for Egypt, that very night under cover of darkness. Imagine if we are in Mary’s shoes. We would have been scared and uncertain. We would have to quickly gather a few belongings and put them into a bundle. We would have to take the infant Jesus out of his cot carefully, trying not to wake him from his sleep. We would have to slip away from the village quietly, without drawing attention to ourselves and all the while feeling afraid that Herod’s men may be waiting to ambush us. Egypt was many day’s journey away on foot and the future was uncertain. But one thing Mary and Joseph knew was that they were taking along with them the Messiah. They were following God’s instructions and they trusted God to protect them. For many of us, we are at the start of a new year and we have no idea what lies ahead. We can only trust God. We can only walk with Him in faithful obedience trusting in His gracious protection and provision for us.

 

A missionary couple we know who were based in Bangkok, had to make a missionary trip to Phuket. It required a journey that would take them many hours by road. They had to take the journey during the rainy season where some of the low-lying roads may be flooded. But they trusted in God’s protection for them. They encountered some flooded sections along their journey and they had to make detours following the hills along the way. Their journey in the end took 9.5 hours but the Lord brought them safely to their destination. We know someone with a health condition that is worrisome because doctors have been having difficulties in trying to make an accurate diagnosis. So, this person had to trust the matter to God knowing that He is control. The future may be uncertain but this person is learning not to be anxious.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we know that when we walk with you, we do not need to fear. Even though the future is uncertain, we trust in you and that you will watch over us. Help us to walk in faith and trust with you always. In the great name of your Son, Jesus we pray. Amen.

Questions

  1. Are you having to face something and its outcome is uncertain? Are you anxious about it? Share.
  2. Will you trust the Lord with this situation and will you faithfully submit to Him asking Him to guide you?
  3. How has the Lord guided you through uncertain times in the past? Share.
  4. How does this devotion help you to trust in the Lord? Share.