SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:13-23

OBSERVATION:

The angel is busy speaking through dreams, warning to go to Egypt, then back to Israel, then to Nazareth, plus directing the wise men not to go to Herod.

Matthew quotes 3 prophecies (Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15, 3rd unknown). Both OT prophecies speak of God’s passionate love for His suffering people, and His plan to personally come and rescue them. They are both prophecies of good news, and this is how Jesus is the fulfillment. In Hebrew the name ‘Jesus’ means ‘The Lord saves”.

God is protecting His Son, not by removing threats but by steering Him around them. God does not protect Jesus from all harm, just from Satan’s plans; God’s plans include suffering, but only in His timing, for His purpose.

Cannot imagine the horror of this incident, so many children slaughtered, so many grieving families, shows that God enters our world and works within our mess.

APPLICATION:

God is directing my life, not removing all threats but steering me around the obstacles to fulfill my ultimate purpose.

God does not protect me from all suffering, but directs me through the trials that He has planned, and around Satan’s attacks.

When I do suffer, it is because God has a plan to bless and use me and others to do greater things.

Nothing has changed, Satan is still slaughtering the innocents with government sanction – only now many mothers are willing, not weeping.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to trust that You are also directing my life around Satan’s obstacles, not to give me an easy life but to accomplish Your purpose through my life. And give me the strength to endure those horrible moments of suffering in peoples’ lives, and to cling to the hope that Your good purpose is being realized, whether I see it or not. Amen.