Bible Reading: Genesis 3-5, Matthew 2
Memory verse: “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” Matthew 2:13 (NKJV)
One of the prayer points we always pray is for guidance and protection from our enemies. Your enemies are those who do not want God’s plan for your life to come to pass. The devil is the only being who has made it a duty to see to it that God’s plan and purpose for the earth and humankind does not see the light of day, and he recruits many into his fold to help him achieve this.
David was anointed King of Israel by Samuel and shortly after, the events that followed saw him running for his dear life for more than a decade. Yet, he was anointed of God but still must flee the enraged King of Israel, Saul, whose only mission was to kill the young David. Unknown to Saul, he was acting out the plan of the enemy making himself an enemy of God. In the end, David became king in place of Saul who ended up dead in battle.
King Herod, in today’s bible reading had decided in his heart to take out the young baby Jesus because he wants the kingship to remain in his family. Unknown to him, this plan to take out Jesus was reinforced by Satan who wanted to make sure prophecy does not come to pass, thus making Herod an accomplice of the devil.
God’s plan and purpose is not automatic, He needs our cooperation to bring it to pass. So also the devil’s plan too needs humans to bring it to pass. Our choice is of great importance. Joseph heeded the angel’s warning in today’s memory verse and fled into Egypt with his family leading to the fulfilment of prophecy of Hosea 11:1 (KJV), “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.“
Whose side are you on? No matter the choice you make today in anything and everything it is either you are helping to make God’s will come to pass or working against His will making such a one an accomplice of the devil. Adam and Eve in the bible reading of today made the wrong choice leading to the suffering on earth today. Be conscious of your choices. Know the will of God and keep to it.
Prayer: Father, teach me to know Your will and help me to discern what steps to take in line with Your will in Jesus name.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu