IMMANUEL...GOD IS STILL WITH US

DAY 14  "THE GREAT ESCAPE" 

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him."

Joseph did not wait till morning; he rose at once, and with Mary and the child, started by night on the long journey.  The wise men had given costly presents to Jesus, and in this way, God provided for the expenses of the journey and their stay in Egypt, until they should return to their own land. Herod was very angry when he found that the wise men had gone home another way. He knew what God by His prophet had said about Christ's coming. He knew how the star had been sent as a guide to the wise men. Yet he was determined to destroy Jesus. In his wrath, he sent soldiers to kill all the male children who were two years old and under.  How strange that a man should fight against God! What an awful scene this slaying of innocent male children must have been! Herod had before done many cruel things, but his wicked life was soon to end. He died a terrible death.

Joseph and Mary remained in Egypt till after the death of Herod. Then the angel appeared to Joseph, and said, "Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life." Joseph had hoped to make his home in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born; but on coming near to Judea, he learned that a son of Herod was reigning in place of his father. This made Joseph afraid to go there, and he did not know what to do; so God sent an angel to instruct him. Following the directions of the angel, Joseph returned to his old home in Nazareth.

Prayer
Thank You, Father, for spiritual leaders and faith-filled friends who keep encouraging us when we are close to giving up. And although we have many reasons to rejoice today, Lord, we also know December 25th can be not-so-merry for a whole host of reasons. We pray for those who are experiencing loss: relational, financial, spiritual, and physical. We pray for those who are coping with loving a prodigal and our friends and family members whose hearts are far from You. We pray for those dealing with unemployment and addictions and chronic sickness... and unending pain and frustrations of all kinds. Thank You, Lord, that You are The Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, even in the midst of our not-so-merry circumstances. Finally, Lord, we ask You to grant us peace. Peace in our homes, peace in our churches, and peace in our hearts, when the world all around us spins out of control. Help us to stay focused on You, this Advent season and always.

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