Good morning! In our reading yesterday, you may have noted the baby who was born in a manger, was now a child living with his parents in a home. Everything seemed to be fine and they had visitors who brought gifts. Yet, just as quickly as joy set in there was another situation that began to unfold. Have you ever been in a situation where things felt like they were finally coming together and then something else happened? Join me as we continue reading Matthew chapter 2.

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 2:13-18 (NLT)
“¹³ After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴ That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, ¹⁵ and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1).”

¹⁶ Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. ¹⁷ Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸ “A cry was heard in Ramah—
weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
refusing to be comforted,
for they are dead (Jeremiah 31:15).”

RECAP
There are a few things I want to point out.

• Joseph was obedient.

• Joseph, Mary and Jesus left for Egypt.

• Prophesy was fulfilled.

• Unfortunately, an insecure king brought heartache to many parents because he tried to control his destiny by killing boys under the age of 2.

REFLECTION
There will be times when the Lord will give us instructions. Instructions we may or may not understand. There might be a desire to do one thing, but we must prayerfully consider our options and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Lord knows what is ahead and how to shield us from the enemies plots.

While it may have seemed overwhelming for Joseph to pack up his home, wife and child, and suddenly leave to a place – without any preparation, he trusted the angel (who was sent by the Lord).

Question: Are you willing to trust the Lord like Joseph did?

Brothers and sisters, we may not know what is ahead of us but the Lord does. This journey may not be as easy as you thought it would be, but remain obedient and trust the Lord. The Lord will guide you as he prepares you for what is ahead. In the meantime, surrender your fears to the Lord, stand bold in faith, keep praying,  take small and big steps of faith, and watch what the Lord will do through you and for you as you faithfully obey.

Don’t Be Insecure and Try to Control Your Own Destiny at the detriment of others. Instead, Be Secure in the One who Controls all things. Trust the Lord – Stand in Faith.

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for protecting us from the dangers we know and the ones we don’t know. Lord, thank you for sending your son Jesus. Lord, thank you for guiding us even at times we have failed to obey your leading. Lord, remove our fear and doubt, teach us to hear your voice (not misleading spirits), help us to understand your will and seek it more than our own. Lord, clean our hearts and minds, and teach us to love like you love. Lord, hold us and remove anything that is not of you from us. Help mother’s around the world who are suffering from post-partum and/or the loss of a child. Lord, protect children in our world. Lord, deliver them from hunger, abuse, trafficking and homelessness. Lord, give favor to your children (all of your children) as we go to work, school, etc. Lord, guide us today. Help us to find peace when things suddenly change. Keep us well (physically, mentally and emotionally). Lord, may your will be done in our lives, homes and in the world. In Jesus name, amen.

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SAVE THE DATE

Next Virtual Women’s Retreat – Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Our theme for the event is: Choose Joy.

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