LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Sunday 26th December 2021
A PLACE OF SAFETY
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2
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
The prophets indicated that Christ would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. In addition, they also indicated that He would be from Nazareth. After Joseph and Mary moved to Bethlehem for the census, they settled there with the child, Jesus. Left alone, they would have continued to stay in Bethlehem. However, the Lord had plans for the child beyond Bethlehem.
Just as a political event moved the parents of Jesus to Bethlehem, another political event moved them out of Bethlehem. God has a way of using seemingly negative circumstances to move us to the place where He wants us to be. The Lord used King Herod’s insecurity and evil intentions to get Joseph and Mary to the place that Christ was destined to be.
God provided Africa as a place of safety for the baby Jesus. Just as He took Israel into Egypt and brought them out, the Lord took Christ into Egypt and brought Him out.
• God warns His children of danger ahead. The Lord sent His angel to warn Joseph of Herod’s plot to kill the Baby Jesus. One of the ways in which God keeps us from evil is by warning us ahead of impending danger.
• God has a place of safety for His children. The Lord did not stop the plan of Herod. He delivered the Infant Jesus from the evil plan of Herod. Often times in the Bible, we see that the Lord does not stop evil; He rather keeps His children from evil.
• God has a time of restoration for His children. The angel of the Lord promised to bring Joseph a word for him to return at the right time. Jesus would eventually be sent to Nazareth and He would grow up there. God is able to restore to us, at the appropriate time, what has been taken away from us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are my Protector. Keep me safe from every plan and attack of the evil one. In Jesus’ name, Amen.