Tag: Sovereign God

Mary Praises Continue

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Mary’s Song of praise continues in Luke 1:46-49 as she looks to God in praise speaking of God’s care for Israel. Mary recognizes the power of God and His Sovereign nature.

Luke 1:46-49 “And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Only a sovereign God could show His strength and power from generation to generation. He has moved kings and kingdoms, given good things, been merciful to his people and interacted personally with Abraham. Being Sovereign means God controls all things. There is nothing outside of God’s wise control, even to the timing for each individual. What God plans happens. When God allows evil, we can trust He has planned to use it for His people’s good and His glory. God had perfect timing for His Son to come the first time and knows the perfect time for His return. All God has planned will come to pass as He alone has the power to make it happen. His will cannot be thwarted.

Mary knew this about God. She has seen His strength and power in Isabel’s history. She would have known about Moses, the escape from Egypt after the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho falling down to the trumpet of God, their first king Saul and his hatred for beloved king David, their constant idol worship which led them into captivity for 70 years and the return as God promised. Mary had heard these stories read in the temple and knew the power of Almighty God to move in history. She knew God to be merciful and caring. She knew He was sovereign over all things.

What do you know about God? Can you talk about God’s character and how you have seen Him in your life? Mary knew first hand that God was real and she marveled that God had chosen her. I too marvel at how God uses individuals to accomplish His work. Each of us is important to God and can be a part of His work. Paul spoke of the importance of each believer in Romans 12:4-6a “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,” In Christ we are all part of Him and have a purpose for His work and for supporting other believers. We are all gifted by God to help lift up, encourage and build up one another. Who do you need to encourage today? Can you send an email, a card or call with a word to show you care? Be open to God, like Mary, and look expectantly for ways God will use you to show the love of Jesus to the world.

Linda

Need Courage? Always Available!

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This verse from Joshua is one of my favorites. It is a promise that always brings me comfort and encouragement. Joshua 1:9 is one of the first verses I memorized and it has given me courage and assurance in many difficult situations.

“ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Promise: God promises to be with me wherever I go and his presence will dispel fear and discouragement.

God knows that I get fearful and discouraged as I face the trials of living each day. The people and circumstances that surround me often can lead to discouragement, depression, fatigue and despair. Without God to give me encouragement, direction and courage, I can easily become overwhelmed. God faithfully reminds me that He is with me and His Spirit indwells me. He gives me the power to preserve and serve Him.

What I can know from this verse: God is greater than anyone that I might fear, God’s presence dispels fear, God is omnipresent, God is sovereign, God does not want me to live fearfully.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I letting the fears of my life overwhelm me? Where do I need to turn to Him and trust in His presence?

Seek today to practice God’s presence. Send up arrow prayers when in need. Ask God to be present with you during your day. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have God with me at all times and do not have to live in fear! Praise God, Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Related Verses: Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Matthew 28:19-20.

An Unlikely Start to Advent, but A Necessary Perspective

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As we begin the month of December, we turn our focus on Advent and the birth of our Lord and Savior. Each year for the last 10 years I have written each day in December to help bring myself closer to His celebration and truths instead of focusing on the world’s obsession with buying, gift giving and making or saving money. I pray that my blogs will stimulate your thinking and help you to focus on Jesus with your heart, mind and soul. As I look at the various players in the story of the Lord’s coming and His birth, I want to reflect on God and what the story shows us about His character and especially his great love for us.

Today’s thought about God is that He set His Redemptive Plan in motion when sin entered the world. Only Sovereign God could accomplish this for us. He did it by sending His son Jesus.

The story begins in Genesis 3:14-15. Eve had been enticed by the serpent (the devil) into eating from the tree of good and evil which God had forbidden them to eat. She ate and then gave some to Adam so they both were guilty of disobeying God. God spoke to them- the serpent, Eve and Adam and told them the consequences of their actions. So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

“Cursed are you above all livestock
    and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
    and you will eat dust
    all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.” These words are the first hint in scripture that there will be trouble between the offspring (Jesus) of the woman and those that do not believe. God is saying that regardless of the problems, Jesus will crush him (Satan and his minions). This will come to a conclusion when Christ returns and all are held accountable before Him. Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father.”

All history is about this struggle over sin and its desire to lure, entice, bind and overcome us so that we will not follow God. The original sin that started in the garden overshadows mankind. That is why when Jesus says in John 8:12  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He is showing us a way to leave the darkness brought on by our sin and to walk in His light. Through Jesus, God provides a way for us to be reconciled to Him and get out from under the bondage of sin. Paul exhorts us in Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Faith in Christ frees us from slavery to our sins. John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

So the arrival of Advent bring Christians a time of reflection on all of God’s goodness and the hope of redemption provided by Jesus. We see God’s great love in sending Jesus to save us from our sins. We were in a hopeless state before His coming as there was nothing we could do to get ourselves right with God and erase our sin. We could not be ‘good’ enough to earn God’s favor.

Thank you Jesus for coming.

Linda

Isaiah-Song #3 Servant’s Obedience

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Song #1 introduced God’s Messiah as the chosen Servant in Isaiah 42:1-9, Song #2 spoke of Messiah’s mission in Isaiah 49:1-13, Song #3 today speaks of Messiah’s obedience in Isaiah 50:4-11 and #4 to come will talk about Messiah’s suffering in Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

The Lord’s Obedient Servant Isaiah 50:4-11

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
    and I have listened.
    I have not rebelled or turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me
    and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
    from mockery and spitting. The servant to come would be obedient and responsive to God unlike the Israelites. He listed and offered himself for suffering at the hands of men. These actions point to the fulfillment in Matthew 27:26 and 30 by Jesus. “So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.”

7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
    determined to do his will.
    And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
    Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
    Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
    Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
    like old clothes that have been eaten by moths! We are reminded here of the resoluteness of Jesus as shown in Luke 9:51 “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Later in prayer he became resolved to the Father’s will. Luke 26:42-46 “Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

10 Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
    without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
    and rely on your God.
11 But watch out, you who live in your own light
    and warm yourselves by your own fires.
This is the reward you will receive from me:
    You will soon fall down in great torment. Isaiah ends this song with a warning. If you fear the Lord and walk with Him, you will see and experience the Light His light shown to the world in Christ Jesus. It calls for trust and reliance upon God. If you seek to live by your own power and light, beware as your rewards will lead you to great downfall and eternal death. Remember Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” and Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The suffering of the Obedient Servant of God, Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be great. This suffering is further shown in the 4th Song of the Suffering Servant. During this Season of Lent, let us reflect on the suffering of our Lord Jesus and sing a song of praise to Him for all He accomplished on the cross and to God the Father for vindicating Him by raising Him from the dead. Victory in Jesus!


Linda

I love this old hymn- it never disappoints. I smile as I consider the victory I have in Jesus.

Only God Could Do This!

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Do you believe that God has power over nations and governments? Isaiah 44:24-28 gives us proof that God knows who governs by name and can use powers on earth to affect His people for good. These prophesies were given hundreds of years before they occurred in history. When Isaiah wrote them during the reign of Hezekiah and the captivity of the Israelites by Babylon was in the distant future.

Isaiah 44:24-28 This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer and Creator:
“I am the Lord, who made all things.
    I alone stretched out the heavens.
Who was with me
    when I made the earth? God is the Creator.
25 I expose the false prophets as liars
    and make fools of fortune-tellers.
I cause the wise to give bad advice,
    thus proving them to be fools. God exposes false prophets.
26 But I carry out the predictions of my prophets!
    By them I say to Jerusalem, ‘People will live here again,’
and to the towns of Judah, ‘You will be rebuilt;
    I will restore all your ruins!’ The prophesies of God’s prophets are always true.
27 When I speak to the rivers and say, ‘Dry up!’
    they will be dry.
28 When I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,’ God will use Cyrus, the future leader of Persia.
    he will certainly do as I say.
He will command, ‘Rebuild Jerusalem’;
    he will say, ‘Restore the Temple.’”. God will cause Cyrus to order the people returned and the temple rebuilt!

Amazing! God was going to use a pagan king, an unbeliever, to restore the Jews to their homeland of Canaan and then have the temple rebuilt. This story is given in Ezra 1:2-4, “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! 4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”

A short while later King Cyrus added to this decree of letting the people return to rebuild, Ezra 6:3-5, “In the first year of King Cyrus’s reign, a decree was sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem. “Let the Temple be rebuilt on the site where Jews used to offer their sacrifices, using the original foundations. Its height will be ninety feet, and its width will be ninety feet. 4 Every three layers of specially prepared stones will be topped by a layer of timber. All expenses will be paid by the royal treasury. 5 Furthermore, the gold and silver cups, which were taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple of God in Jerusalem, must be returned to Jerusalem and put back where they belong. Let them be taken back to the Temple of God.”

Not only did God provide for the people’s to return to their homeland, but He had neighbors contributing to their expenses. God had all the treasured articles taken from the temple by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon returned with them!

I love this amazing story of God’s provision in the face of total opposition. The Jews were held in captivity for 70 years and then God arranged for their release, money to travel and settle back home and for His temple to be rebuilt. Only God could foretell of this event and then carry it out exactly.

May the power of our God motivate you to cling to Him and His promises today. What He says He will do! God keeps His promises.

Linda

4th Sunday of Lent, God Has NO Equal

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I am comforted today knowing God has no equal. Isaiah Chapter 40 has proof for us that God has no equal in heavens or on earth. Isaiah 40:18 and 25

18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
    To what image will you liken him? ” God’s answers by asking the Israelites which idol that they have made by their own hands has power? Their skilled craftsmen have set up their handmade idols but which of them will never fall over? We can ask ourselves the same questions today. Whom or what do we put above God- education, material things, relationships? What thing, event or person has the power to change life eternally? Only God has the power to change, mold and create new life within us. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:7 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Christ is the Holy one, the Only one, who can Save and transform us.

25 “To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. God is asking them, and us, whom do we have to compare to God? Will our education, our accomplishments, our relationships, our jobs, our families, our vacations, or our money compare to God and His power, might, forgiveness and hope? Whom can offer us eternity? Whom can offer us a personal relation ship with Almighty God? No one and nothing can be substituted for God.

Thinking of Who God is and His power and might brings me to Psalm 18. Here are a few verses that show us How our God is alive and will intervene and sustain us.

1 I love you, Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and I have been saved from my enemies.

30 As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

May you be in touch with God today as you worship Him. He is worthy of all our worship and there is NONE like Him! There is NONE EQUAL to GOD!

Linda

Sovereign God Has It Within His Control

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Chapter 40 of Isaiah has a lot to say about God as Ruler of all nations and the heavens! The image Isaiah is presenting is one of God who is the preeminent ruler of all creation whether He is acknowledged by the Israelites or even us. He is in control of all things showing His sovereignty. The Sovereignty of God is defined as: God is the one who is in control of all things. There is nothing outside of God’s wise control, even the exact time and place for each person to live. No one tells God what to do or how things are to happen. God plans are set by Him and no event, natural disaster, person, not even Satan can stop God’s plans. When God permits evil we can trust that He has planned to use it for our good and His glory. God planned the time for His son, Jesus, to come into the world and He determines when the time is right for Jesus to return. God will accomplish His plan because He alone has the power to do it.

Isaiah begins this portion of the Chapter 40 with a few rhetorical questions. He does not expect the people to answer Him but to know that the answers should be obvious to them. Isaiah 40:12-14 sets the stage for God’s comments about the earth, its rulers and inhabitants as they are seen by Him.

Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
    Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth
    or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
    Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
14 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
    Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
    or show him the path of justice?

Isaiah 40:15 “No, for all the nations of the world
    are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
    than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
    as though it were a grain of sand. God’s answer to the questions is there is no one, no nation under heaven and on earth that can give Him advice, teach Him or show Him the pathway of justice.

Isaiah 40:17 “The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
    In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
    mere emptiness and froth.” The nations of the world are temporary and their own splendor is limited.

Isaiah 40:40:22 “God sits above the circle of the earth.
    The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
    and makes his tent from them.” God looks down from heaven over all His created beings and provides for them.

Isaiah 40:23 ““He judges the great people of the world
    and brings them all to nothing.” God can and will judge all people. Their own lofty purposes will count for nothing.

God concludes this reminder of who He is and who we are with 2 more questions in verses 25-26.

“To whom will you compare me?
    Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up into the heavens.
    Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
    calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
    not a single one is missing.

I love the conclusion God reaches. As we gaze at the stars in the heavens and look at the majestic beauty of God’s creation, we are faced with the realization that there has to be an all-powerful, sovereign God guiding all of this. Not man, his nations or governments can create and sustain the things of God. Today send a few minutes in prayer thanking God for who He is and the beauty and power of His creation. Be comforted that God is in control and we do not need to fear the governments of man as God is Sovereign and will bring about all things that are for our good and His glory! Praise God!

Linda

He’s Got This! Trust Him!

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One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11. It is also the favorite of Steve, in my church, and Francine, in my BSF leader’s group. Why is this verse so beloved? Let me explain the hope and encouragement, the reassurance of who God is and His Sovereign control over all things that are found in this verse!

The full context of the verse occurs in a letter sent to the Israelites who had been taken into captivity. God wanted them to know that they were loved by Him and that He had future plans for their lives even though their current circumstances were troubled. Jeremiah 29:1 sets the stage: This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.” God wanted them to know that even though they were ‘gone’ from Jerusalem, the temple and their homeland; they were NOT forgotten or abandoned there. Jeremiah 29:10-14 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Here is God’s encouragement- WOW! 10) Be of good courage as I will bring you back home after 70 years in Babylon. 11) I know what the future holds for you and I’ve got this- it is good! 12)Your faith will continue and we will have viable communication. 13) When you look for me, you will find me! 14) I promise I’ll bring you home. The exile in Babylon had been caused by their own unfaithfulness to God, and yet God was confirming to them that they still were His and He would work in their lives to restore them. What a wonderful loving God! They had messed up big time, had not listened, had ignored his prophets, had worshipped other gods, and yet God still had them in the palm of His hand as He promised to care for them while in exile. Thankfully, the Israelites learned their lesson and did not stray into idolatry again after their return to Israel 70 years later.

That is the big picture, now to verse 11.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” God knew the plans He had for Israel and the work He had planned for them. God is sovereign and knows all about me. I know He has plans for me and a purpose for my life in His kingdom. Because God is good in all things, I can rest assured that all His plans for me are good and will be successful. God’s plans are meant to give me hope and assure my faith and future. Those plans are not for a bigger house, car or better job, but are in relation to my work for Him in His kingdom. Our purpose is to glorify God in all we say and do and He has the very best places and plans for that to happen. Walking with Jesus, I can live assured that His way, though it may be hard, will produce good for me and will add to my future with Him. He has plans….my job is to keep the faith and seek to stay in His will doing things His way in His time.

Steve, Francine and I all love the assurance this verse gives and seek to claim its promises in our lives as we seek to live and serve Him. How about you? Do you see God’s plans as good? Do you trust in His goodness no matter what is happening around you? Circumstances can and do get very sticky and troubled. Keep your focus upon Him and trust in His sovereignty. Psalm 73:28 is my cry, along with David, “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Trust in Him and make the Sovereign Lord your refuge. Proclaim Him to those around you. Trust Him! He’s got this!

Linda

Are you willing to be Used by God?

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Earlier during Lent, I wrote on Acts 28:3 (March 4, Entangled with Vipers) which told the story of shipwrecked Paul and how he was bitten by a poisonous snake and lived. Today’s scripture follows that incident on Malta. Acts 28:7-10 “There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

This story shows the continued protection and providence of God towards Paul and his mission to go to Rome. God had told him he would go to Rome during the storm at sea that rendered them shipwrecked. “23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27:23-26. Paul knew he was to be about God’s work while on his way to Rome. The local official welcomed them and was very hospitable to these strangers and prisoners. When the father of the official became ill, Paul immediately went and laid hands upon him and healed him. This miraculous healing caused others to come to Paul and many others were healed. He had a God given opportunity to witness to the power of Christ in this unexpected place. He was well taken care of and soon set sail for Rome again.

What do we learn from this story? God is sovereign and in control of all circumstances. He allowed the storm and shipwreck to happen thus providing Paul time to show others the power of God though his actions and words. You can be sure that Paul spent time telling others about his Jesus. He knew that Jesus is the only one who has the power to save both spiritually and physically. God’s power is manifested through us so that others will see and hear about Him. Paul was obedient to tell others and heal the sick. What happened as a result was grace to Paul and his fellow prisoners and the good news of Christ being given there on Malta.

Our question today is, in what circumstances do you find yourself? Looking around, how do you see that God could use you to help others physically? Who can you tell about Jesus to give them spiritual food? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be used by God to reach out to others physically and spiritually. We need to keep our eyes and hearts open to His leading so we can be His hands of helping and healing to our weary world.

Linda

After Advent…Epiphany, Wise Men’s Obedience Speaks to Us

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Each year Western Christians celebrate January 6 as Epiphany. It commemorates the arrival of the Magi to worship Jesus. For the last several days I have been blogging on the arrival of the Magi and what their story has to say to us today.

The heart of their visit to Jesus’ family was one of worship and obedience. Obedience brought protection for Mary, Joseph, Jesus and the Magi against the evil intent that God knew was in Herod’s heart. The Magi were obedient to follow the message in their dream to not return to Herod. Joseph was again visited by an angel and told to take Mary and baby Jesus and go to Egypt. He was obedient and packed them up and left immediately. The Magi returning home and Joseph took his young family to Egypt and eventually to Nazareth after Herod’s death. This shows God’s omniscient power over current threatening events and prophecies given hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth.

Matthew 2:12-15 “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Where is God calling you to be obedient? Is He directing you to share, give, comfort, lend a helping hand, provide care or listen with a loving heart? Our obedience is important and loved by God. It is an attribute God desires for our lives and shows our love and respect for Him in a very real and tangible way. When I think on the priority God places on obedience, my thoughts go to 1 Samuel 15:22. “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,  and to listen than the fat of rams.” God desires that we are obedient and with that obedience comes blessing. The Magi were blessed with seeing the child and not giving further help to the evil of Herod. Mary and Joseph were blessed by continued protection from harm and provision through the gifts of the Magi. All of their acts of obedience brought glory to God and His plan for mankind.

Have you ever considered how your obedience is a tool for God to use in the lives of others? Your obedience, like that of Joseph, Mary and the Wise Men can and will be used by God to bless others. Meditate today on the effects of your obedience to God and His Word. 1 John 5:3-4 gives us a guide by which we can frame our obedience. It is specific and direct- not always easy but true. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” Walk in faithful obedience to God’s Word and His Son and see how God blesses and multiplies your effect upon others for Him.

Linda