“So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel” (Matthew 2:21).

Out of Egypt, the Lord led those in bondage into the promise of the freedom He gives.  Jesus has come to lead us out of bondage to sin and into the freedom the Gospel gives through grace.  Not a freedom to do as we please, but freedom to become children of God.  Born, not of flesh and blood, but of the Holy Spirit with power given by the One who comes to lead us into freedom.

Lord, You have made it so clear and yet, many of us do not understand.  You have set us free from sin, death, and the devil, but we often do not live in this freedom.  The example of what You have done is repeated over and over throughout Scripture.  Grant that my eyes would be opened so that I may see and believe.  When I see, help my feet to follow when You call me to a new place.

Lord Jesus, even before You were baptized by John in the river Jordan, You were leading the way.  Help me to be Your disciple, following Your life and the words You have given me.  Help me to be like You, doing faithfully the things You give me to do.  Help me now and always to look to You as the One who knows what He is doing so that I may be led by You in the way of righteousness.  Amen.

“But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said,  “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead” (Matthew 2:19-20)).

The two-fold purpose of the Lord was revealed.  Out of slavery and into the promise of the land flowing with milk and honey.  The death of the tyrant, but not the cessation of the sinfulness for the world.  This child in Joseph’s care was and is the One who will take the sin of the world on His shoulders.  Leading the way was a humble man who listened to the Lord and did as He was told.

I sometimes forget to see how much of the Gospel tells us about those who listened and obeyed.  Scripture also tells us about the many who did not obey the word of the Lord.  It comes down to trusting the Lord despite circumstances and to know that He will lead us through this world of sin.  The Lord knows all Your days and He knows the plans He has for you.  Come under the arms of the Savior and learn how to listen and obey.

Lord Jesus, when You were a child, you needed to be protected by Your faithful earthly father.  Be my protector and shepherd my faith so that I may walk with You through all that will come my way.  According to Your mercy and goodness, shield my mind so that I may learn to trust where You are leading me.  You are the One who must finish this faith You have given me, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more” (Matthew 2:17-18).

How sad it is that the world murders and we do not weep.  Daily, thousands are killed, and we do not weep.  The Lord loves all whom He has made.  A tyrant murders and we say there is nothing that can be done.  But we can be faithful, even amidst the travail of suffering and pain.  But the Lord gets blamed.  Why didn’t He stop Herod?  Why don’t you let Him stop you from sinning?

Lord, before I cry out at injustice, let me see the injustice which is in me.  Guide me according to Your revelation that I may now and forever look to You despite this world’s circumstances.  The world loves to blame, rather than to look at their own sin.  The world loves to sin away while lamenting how bad things are.  Take me out of worldliness to walk with You in the way of eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way.  You have come to save as many as believe.  You have come to shepherd Your flock.  Shepherd me on the narrow path so that I would see my sins before I lament the sins of others.  Help me to love them as I love myself, and to love myself by learning how to love the Truth.  Guide me even though I am surrounded by a world that continues to murder its children.  Amen.

“Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent men and killed all the boys who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi” (Matthew 2:16).

How sad that this world reacts with such violence and hatred?  We humans do not know the details, so with broad strokes, we lash out and destroy what we hate.  How many unneeded abortions have killed children?  How many lives are simply thrown away.  Every life is precious to the Lord. He commands us: thou shall not kill.  The wicked see no wrong in destruction.  The Lord teaches us to cherish life and to live according to His word.

Word made flesh and dwelling among us, there was great cost in preparing the way of salvation.  How many have been martyred for Your sake?  But that is the way of wickedness.  Lead me according to Your goodness to humbly walk in Your way no matter the cost.  You have given all who believe the words of eternal life.  Let Your faithful be empowered to walk humbly in You, even amidst the death and destruction that surrounds us.

Lord, I do not know what I would do if faced with the wrath of the wicked one as those whose children were killed.  But there is death all around me here.  Guide me, Lord, to humbly live by Your word and seek to do what is right each day that You give me.  I do not know the day or hour, but I see the signs and know that You will return one day to judge the living and the dead.  Count me among the faithful, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“He stayed there until the death of Herod; this happened so that what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Out of Egypt I called My Son” (Matthew 2:15).

In fulfilling prophecy, the Lord does many things at once.  There are things He has done that we do not yet know.  Herod needed to be prevented from killing the Messiah.  He thought he could stop the Lord.  No one can thwart the plans of the Lord.  Scripture would be fulfilled;  and out of Egypt, the Lord would come.  Born in Bethlehem, out of Egypt, and called a Nazarene.  Who but the Lord can work through so many twists and turns?

Life is not simple nor was the life of the Lord.  The Lord called His Son out of Egypt.  The Lord calls us out of the bondage of sin, death, and meaningless existence to wander the wilderness of this life, preparing to come into the promised rest of eternity.  The pattern has been set before us and we have been called by grace to live in faith and follow the Lord all the days of our life.

Father in Heaven, guide me in the goodness of the grace hard-won by Jesus so that I may  come into Your presence.  Open me up to live faithfully in the presence of Your Holy Spirit so that like Joseph and Mary, I can walk steadfastly with You .  Lead me in all goodness according to Your will so that I may, day by day, be conformed to the image of Your Son and become Your child.  Amen. 

“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt” (Matthew 2:14).

It is almost as if the Lord is retracing the steps backwards through time, away from the Jewish kings, through the wilderness where the law was given, and into the slavery of Egypt.  Jesus has come to fulfill prophecy and make all things new.  This is done amidst the fight against principalities and forces that hate God and desire to see complete destruction and rejection of all that the Lord has established.

To what lengths will the Lord go to resurrect you into the new life?  The price He paid for your redemption is in the story of the Gospel.  He did these things so that you would have the opportunity to live life now and forever as it is meant to be lived.  Empowered by Him, there are others who were faithful and helped to make things happen as they needed to happen.

Lord, I am here, listening to Your word, because of others who have faithfully carried the Gospel message to me.  Some of them have done so through great peril to themselves.  Help me to join with the communion of saints knowing that You have come to redeem all of those who will journey with you through all the sinfulness of this world in order to be made new.  Make me new in You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him” (Matthew 2:13).

After the Lord provided for Jesus with gold, Joseph is instructed to leave Bethlehem.  The world still wants to kill Jesus.  The One who is eternal cannot be eliminated.  They killed Him and He rose again.  You who follow the Lord, know that they will try to kill you.  Let nothing distract you from following the Lord, even if He asks you to pack up things and move.  The final portion of the Great Commission is for us to learn how to obey.

Lord, thank You for the witness of Joseph.  He heard You and obeyed.  What will it take for me to have enough faith to obey You as Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and Joseph did?  Create in me a willing heart that hears and obeys.  You have provided for me before I take the first step, so teach me how to step out in faith.  May I be encourage by examples such as these to always trust You.

Lord Jesus, as You were protected as a child, so also, Your protection is over us.  But I also know that this life too may be taken at any time.  Grant that I would have faith to step out, not based upon circumstances, nor even outcomes, but based upon obeying all that You command.  You are the author and finisher of my faith and You know what is coming.  Lead me to live by faith.  Amen.

“And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way” (Matthew 2:12).

The Magi were attuned to the speaking of the Holy Spirit.  As the Lord led them to Jesus, so also, the Lord led them away.  The met Herod and they knew the stories of his paranoia, but they also knew the leading of the Lord.  Somehow, in our age, we seem to want magic rather than wisdom.  Wisdom begins with fear of the Lord.  Magic is an imagination of the mind, for all power belongs to the Lord.

Lord, as the Wise men came to see baby Jesus and worship Him, so also, You call me to worship You.  You have spoken to me in many a various ways.  Help me to hear when You speak so that, with wisdom, I may obey when You direct me.  Lead me in the way that You intend, but also, help me to listen and follow.  Thank You for the witness of the Magi and their humble experience.

Lord, You have come so that we may go by another way, leaving this country and heading toward the new country which shall come after our resurrection.  Help me to not look back, but to move forward according to Your leading.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that only in You can I take even one step, let alone all the steps that are needed.  Be the light that shines before each of my steps as I follow You all the days of my life.  Amen.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And after they came
into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:10).

Christmas night is often portrayed with the Magi beside the newborn Jesus. Jesus was born in a
stable and the Magi came to the house. In a way, time was slower then and not so hurried as in
our age where we want things wrapped up quickly. The gifts of providence to provide for the
Lord were provided. God’s timing and provision are always perfect. Worship the One who has
all things in His hands, including time.

Lord, I believe the convenient report of the packaged presentation of my culture over what Your
word says. Help me to pay attention, for every word You have spoken is there for a purpose.
Lead me to understand Scripture through the words of Scripture and right preaching, and not
through the interpretation of those who want to sell during the Christmas season. Guide me into
truth.

Lord Jesus, my salvation is dependent upon You and not upon my getting things right. Lead
me into the light of truth through Your word so that I may not be easily led astray by those
who follow their own hearts instead of You. Grant me a discerning mind who trusts that all
things are in Your hands and that You will make sure the timing in my life is according to
Your will. Thank You for the many ways in which You provide for us all. Amen.

“After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen
in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child
was to be found” (Matthew 2:9).

The Lord will lead those who are His. The Lord is our protector. Oh, why do we not believe and
humbly follow Him? As He led the Magi to baby Jesus, so He will lead us all the days of our
life. Keep your eye on the light of Jesus. Keep your eye on the prize. Jesus will lead you. Trust
in the One who knows all things and has come in order that you may have life in Him. Let Him
lead you all the days of your life.

Shining star of truth, reveal all things I need to know so that I may see and believe. Like
Abraham and the Magi, You have sent me on a journey of faith. Guide me Lord Jesus so that I
may humbly walk in the faith You have given me. Guide me in Your goodness and grace to not
lose focus, or stumble in darkness, but walk knowing that You are with me always.

My Savior and God, You have come to lead me this day in the way I need to go. Guide me in
Your goodness so that I may be faithful and follow where You lead. Help me to know that I do
not need to fear anything that comes my way in this life. Help me to trust in You always.
Guide me in Your goodness so that I may take additional steps of faith, trusting in Your
leading always. Amen.