Day Ten

Day 10

Matthew 2:19-23 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ”Arise take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Our God is one of amazing detail, He leaves nothing to chance, and even though at first reading one might wonder if God had made a mistake when He told Joseph to go to “the Land of Israel” further investigation again reveals the sovereignty of our God. Jesus was never meant to be anything less than one of lowly reputation. The Lord never allowed nor wanted Jesus to appear in any way to come from royalty or a place of elevated status. His life begins with His birth in a manger, and now as a child He will live in a town where the inhabitants are despised, looked upon as compromisers who cater to the Romans. Remember Nathanael’s reaction in John 1:46 when speaking of Nazareth he said these words,” Can anything good come from there?” The Lord knew what He was doing, He had a plan, and thankfully Joseph was a faithful and obedient man who waited to hear from the Lord, and then obeyed. Faithfulness is truly not something we hear enough about today, somehow the idea of being faithful has been transformed into a sign of weakness rather than one of strength. When you hear someone describe another as self made or successful there seems to be a connotation of joy and pride that accompanies the statement. However when you hear of one being described as faithful it can often come across more like an excuse, more apathetic, you know something like “ well he hasn’t accomplished much but he sure is faithful”. Yes while you often hear people being praised for being self made or successful you rarely hear praise being lavished upon those who are faithful to hear and obey God. However as it is with most things in this life the world truly does have this one backwards, the greater strength and honor truly does belong to the faithful. You see talented and confident people can succeed in almost any situation they see opportunity and they seize it, their confidence and pride will not allow them to fail they continue on until success (in their eyes) is achieved. Faithful people end up in towns like Nazareth, or Sodom and Gomorrah, they tend to be unpopular or at the least hang out with those who are and not many will stand beside them. They are misunderstood and sometimes to a certain degree they are even feared because few can relate to them. While many are more than willing to offer advice to them that advice is rarely acceptable, after all it comes from a heart of those seeking or admiring success. Truly faithful people of God are hard to find, an oddity worth seeking out, people worthy of admiration, if you are one may you be blessed, and if you know one bless them, you may find their faithfulness somewhat addicting, after all they do tend to be rather close to our creator.

Daily Prayer: Father may we all be found to be faithful to You oh Lord, teach us Father to hear Your voice and obey, especially when it leads us away from the ways of the world, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
“Faithfulness leads to a lonely road, yet those who are will be there with you, and He”
Gene Burroughs Servant