May 9 | Matthew 2:13-23

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DAILY READING

Matthew 2: 13-23

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REFLECTION

Herod Didn't Win!

By Carmel Elmer

The births of my children were times of such joy.  I remember holding those sweet, helpless babies while they slept and having such a feeling of compete bliss.  I can’t imagine having brought a child into the world in the circumstances that Mary and Joseph did or being able to comprehend how the history of humanity would change because of the birth of my child.  Every parent feels the weight of responsibility for caring for and insuring the safety of their children, but  imagine for a moment that you, like Joseph were told in a dream that the great king of the time was planning to kill your precious, innocent baby and you needed to flee to a foreign country and hide to protect him.

For roughly 2000 years before Jesus’ birth prophet after prophet told of the coming Messiah who would lead the Jewish people back to Israel, restore David’s kingdom, and bring peace to the world.  This messiah would be a great king, conqueror, and he would overthrow the ruler of the time, and free the Jewish people from their oppressors.  Who would have believed that this tiny newborn could be that promised King?  Apparently, Herod did.

As I read this passage from Matthew 2, I think about God’s plan for the Jewish people beginning in Genesis 12 when God told Abram that the world will be blessed though his descendants.  There were so many setbacks along the way and yet, through Jesus, God’s plan came to pass.  No matter how many times the Jewish people were exiled, oppressed, or overpowered – no matter how hopeless it may have seemed – God was and still is in control.  His plan will be fulfilled, and humanity will be restored to a right relationship in the presence of God Himself.  Jesus came for that very purpose.  So why does it seem that the world is still in such a mess today?

This study of Revelation has been so helpful to me.  I have always been in the camp of believing that the visions of John in this mysterious final chapter of the Bible were just plain strange and scary, and I avoided reading it all together if I’m honest.  I’m not sure I will ever fully grasp the meaning of John’s strange visions, but my understanding has shifted to seeing the book of Revelation as hopeful, no longer frightening.  God is in control!  No matter how scary, or hopeless life may seem sometimes, He is here and He will restore everything and even make it better, more beautiful than any of us can imagine!

When I saw my assigned reading for this devotional, I scratched my head wondering how Matthew’s account of Mary, Joseph and Jesus’ escape to Egypt could possibly connect with the book of Revelation! (No offense to whomever determines the daily reading schedule) As I wrote this morning it occurred to me:

There will always be a ‘Herod’ of the times.  There will always be someone or something threatening to destroy us and and all that is good in this world.  But through it all, there will always be God and His plan will prevail no matter what.  In times of tribulation I will hang on to the final words of Revelation 22 under the heading "Eden Restored":

“The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”  Revelation 22:21 

PRAYER

Lord, in times of difficulty, when all seems hopeless and threats are all around us, remind us that You are here.  You will restore everything that is broken and we need to hold on, remain faithful, and know that You have already defeated the ‘Herods’ in our lives.  Give us faith to praise You and believe until the time comes that Jesus returns and all is restored.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARMEL ELMER

I have attended UALC for nearly 25 years, but faith has always been at the center of my life. My mom was an incredible role model, demonstrating a trust in God that surpassed any circumstance. I will always be grateful for her incredible example of faith, and I pray that one day, my children will say the same about me.