Foundations Dec 25, 2010

Saturday, December 25, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezekiel 31-33 and 1 Peter 4

SCRIPTURE READING

Matthew 2:1-3, 16 (ESV); …wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him…Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

The prophet Jeremiah had foretold of the opposition that would come in the days of the Messiah’s birth, when the land would be filled with weeping over the deaths of many children. Herod, along with many others who would follow in the years to come, lacked understanding. Many Jews were waiting expectantly for a zealot to come and overthrow the powers of Rome; consequentially Herod was disturbed and fearful when the birth of this “zealot” came to pass. Few understood that this child was born to do much greater things than offer a few years of political freedom. He came to offer life, to set captives free and bring peace for all eternity to those who would bow their hearts.

Fighting against God’s plans will never work. Continually butting heads with the Lord will bring grief to us but will never alter God’s eternal purposes. He WILL reign on a LITERAL, EVERLASTING throne! Let us strive to keep in step with Him as we await His final redemption!

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1.       Where are you feeling opposition in your life right now? What does the Lord want to say to you about His purpose in light of it? What should your response be in light of this opposition?

2.       Is there an issue that you are butting heads with God about? How is it causing you grief? Ask Him how you can be on the same page as Him.

3.       Ask God for a big-picture perspective in this situation. Meditate on God’s prevailing goodness and His deliverance.

4.       Take time to pray for the person/people opposing you.