God In The Stable
Saturday, December 30
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Devotion
When the star you are following leads you to a stable instead of a palace, pray to God. Don't quit, keep praying, praising, and serving. Because God can be in the stable as He can also be in the stars.
Jesus is the fourth man in the fire, referencing the story of miraculous rescue of Daniel’s three friends. Sometimes when you follow a star, it doesn't lead you where you expected to go. And in that moment, when you feel disappointment, look for God in the stable.
Don't panic about your problem. Hold steady. When your life moves from stars to stables, when everything goes wrong and your expectations are not met, that is the time to lay hold of the fact that, if God was with you in the stars, He will surely be with you while you are down in the dirty stable.
Whether you are up or down, whether times are good or bad, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He never forsakes his people. Stay confident and pray that he will guide you through.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the humility of not considering equality with God something to be grasped but taking the form of a man – even a baby born in a barn! Thank You for the example of the Magi, humbling themselves to worship a baby born in a barn. Help me remember Jesus in my highest highs and lowest lows. Help me remember that I have nothing that I did not receive from You. And even when I think I have nothing, remind me that You have everything and can provide for me, according to Your riches in glory even as You provided for Jesus through the gifts of the Magi. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
Apply It Today
Though the circumstances were different from the wise men’s expectation, they presented their gifts and worshiped. Read Psalm 5 aloud today. It is an example for us of how to cry out for God’s help while we worship, ask Him to change us, and expect His joy and protection in the midst of the unexpected and difficult circumstances.
Resources:
- Watch, “Wake up Your Faith”, and learn to use your stable time to grow your faith.
- Read Hebrews 12 :1-16 and let it minister to you as you are reminded that Jesus is the founder and the perfecter of your faith.