Matthew 2

Matthew 2

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him, verse 16.

Lord, this morning You seemed to highlight this verse, of all the verses in a familiar story. The irony has never been quite so obvious, Herod sought the council of Wiseman and got upset when they outwitted him, or were wiser than he.

But we know from the Scripture You were the source of their wisdom, as You spoke to several in this chapter through their dreams. Rather than wondering what it was they ate the night before, those You counciled knew it was You providing a message of instruction and protection, and moved accordingly. When reading this there is a reminder of Proverbs 2:

All wisdom comes from the Lord,
and so do common sense
and understanding.
7 God gives helpful advice[a]
to everyone who obeys him
and protects all of those
who live as they should.

There it is. Lord, I pray we seek You and Your council, rather than moving from a place of fear or control, which in the scenario of today's reading, led to the death of innocent lives. For all who have a tendency to operate from this place, I pray for a divine interruption of grace and love, and an awareness so clear, it can't be helped but to seek more of You and turn from those tendencies. Help us to be like Mary, Joseph and the Wiseman, responding to Your leading (however You choose to do so), protecting the promise that will change worlds. Thank You Jesus, amen ❤