Follow the Star

Tuesday, December 23

Matthew 2:4-6 (NKJV)

“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Devotion

God used the prophets of old to reveal His plan to a future generation. In this case, the prophecy of the coming Messiah was recorded some seven hundred years before Christ’s birth. The prophet Micah spoke of One Who would shepherd His people, Israel and would come from a place least likely to be expected, Bethlehem, a small town in the Judean region. Recorded in Micah 5:2 this prophecy says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” 

Notice the last phrase ‘whose going forth are from of old …’ was left out by Herod’s scribes and chief priests when they told Herod where this ruler would come from. This last part would give credence to God’s plans and not man’s, and Herod would not be that ruler. 

It is so like our Heavenly Father, our Creator, to do things His way. The one who existed before recorded time, has planned and designed our lives way before our birth and has done exceedingly above our own thoughts and ways. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty, (1 Corinthians 1:27) so that in all these things, He will always get the glory. Man cannot ‘hold a candle’ to God’s handiwork. 

There is not one detail, nor circumstance that has slipped past the knowledge of the Holy One. He has made a way and a provision long before we faced the problem. As the star of Bethlehem began leading the wise men to the birthplace of Christ years before the birth occurred, the Lord will lead us by a “… more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts…” (2 Peter 1:19) That is, the Word of God. His Word endures forever (meaning for all time – past, present, and future), and if we will allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all His truth, we shall do well.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that in Your infinite wisdom, foresight, and love, You provided a way for man to be delivered from eternal judgment. I am grateful that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to be the Door to eternal life with You in heaven. If You can oversee the details in fulfilling every prophecy recorded throughout the ages regarding the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ, I can trust You with the details of my own life. I hand them over to You now and place them into Your hands. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

In God’s infinite wisdom, He knows more than we do. He knew what was coming, and He knows what is coming ahead. He is faithful to provide a way. Yet it takes faith to trust Him when we cannot see. So build yourself up in the Word of God: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). He will provide the compass and the timing.

Resources

• Ready for a journey that leads straight to the heart of Christmas? Watch the message “Follow the Star.”  Let the light of God’s Word guide you to a deeper encounter with Him this season.

• Celebrate the light of Christmas with us! Join us tomorrow at 4 PM & 6 PM— for worship, a powerful message from Pastor Jentezen Franklin, and a celebration of Christ’s birth. Visit freechapel.org/events for details.