January 9
“Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’” Matthew 2:12-15.
We turn our attention again to the Wise Men from the East and how they followed divine direction. God had guided them by a star to come to Jerusalem to worship the Christ Child. After inquiring about the exact place where Jesus was born, God guided them again to the house where they worshiped the Christ Child and presented costly gifts to Him. Then they were ready to depart. Then God warned them in a dream that they should not return to Herod. As before, they followed God’s guidance, and returned to their own country another way. They went another way for their own safety and for the safety of the Christ Child.
Like the Wise Men, Joseph also demonstrated his faith by following God’s direction. In a dream, God warned him to escape the evil intent of King Herod and to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Immediately, he arose and left with Mary and Jesus by night for the land of Egypt. God would frustrate and bring Herod’s plans to naught! Joseph remained in Egypt until the death of King Herod, and the words of the prophet Hosea were fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Hosea 11:1.
Through His Word, God also guides you and me to avoid sin and every evil. Go God’s way through life and you will be blessed. When God gave the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, He said, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments,” Exodus 20:5-6. When we say that we love God, it should not be just a matter of the mouth, but it should show itself in our lives. The apostle John wrote, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith,” 1 John 5:3-4. Faith in Jesus alone saves, but faith is never alone. “Faith without works is dead!” James 2:20. We cannot say that we believe in Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior but then live like little devils!
The Wise Men and Joseph and Mary had faith in Jesus as the Son of God and their newborn Savior. They expressed their faith also with their deeds. Let each of us resolve to do the same. Let’s have a faith that is alive!
How precious is the Book Divine, by inspiration giv’n!
Bright as a lamp, its doctrines shine, to guide our souls to heav’n.
It shows to man his wand’ring ways, and where his feet have trod,
And brings to view the matchless grace, of a forgiving God.
O’er all the straight and narrow way, its radiant beams are cast;
A light whose never-weary ray, grows brightest at the last. Amen.