In my reading the Bible, I chose to begin working my way through Matthews Gospel recently. I just was reading and thinking about what God would have me hear from him in reading this short historical account of the early life of Christ and the holy familys return from Egypt and resettling in Nazareth. Here is the passage. After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. Then he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets, that He will be called a Nazarene. - Matthew 2:19-23 HCSB Many times I have just read through these passages and thought...Okay interesting statement of Christs history and maybe taking note of the fact that this was simply to help us see that ancient prophecy was being fulfilled yet once again validating Gods Word spoken through the Bible, and then move on. But as with all Scripture its truths can be applied to our lives in many ways, based on many factors empowered by Holy Spirit in us! (though there is only one actual interpretation that the author intends, yet many Spirit applications) As I pondered this passage, it quickly became evident God is reminding me of my current calling and work he wants me to keep after. I for one have always struggled with bringing ideas and plans to completion. God knows me and knows I need some along the way reminders to keep me motivated at times. What I quickly saw was how Joseph, Mary and Jesus out of fear for their lives and from Gods command, fled to Egypt...and then when the Angel told them it was safe to return, out of fear of Herods son, avoided their natural place to return in Judea and settled instead in the unlikely place of Nazareth. In this seemingly unordered process they fulfilled Gods will, and prophetic promises and plans. This idea of fleeing persecution, which is what the family of Jesus was doing, turns out to be in the plans of God to fulfill his greater good of his glory and for his children. In process we see though their fleeing death, their uprooted lives become tools in Gods sovereign plans to call his Son out of Egypt as foretold and to raise up the Messiah from Nazareth as promised in his prophets and in turn raise up a Savior in tune with the common man and his life. In Christ, God really knows what its like to be one of us. God is confirming to me personally that this mission he has set AFM ministry upon to help rescue his fleeing children from Pakistan and beyond, is his work for me along with our other ministries. This is yet more proof to my hard head that God is in this and to press on! God has heard the cries of his faithful ones! He wants to use us to be a tool in his hand to bring help and hope. Thank you Lord for always speaking and for my hearing today. May I be found faithful by your Spirit living and following. Amen.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 19:19:05 +0000
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