Lutheran Daily Devotional 4th January 2023 Wednesday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Evil
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:16-18)
There are some things that nobody on earth can explain, because they are evil. They cannot be explained away, and they cannot be tolerated. We can only weep and cry out to God when they happen. The death of the children in Bethlehem is one of those things. We too have our unbearable evils—and we cry out to God when they come.
It does no good to rationalize these evils. Nothing will make them bearable. We need someone to destroy them—a Savior who will break the power of evil, right at its source, so that it will never rule again.
That was the job of the final baby of Bethlehem—the last survivor, Jesus. He escaped the sword that day, not for Himself, but for all of us. There was a cross waiting in His future, where He had a battle to fight. On that cross He would put a decisive end to the works of the devil and all his angels, conquering them with His own blood. And three days later He would rise from the dead, breaking the power of death forever—for Himself, and for everyone who trusts in Him.
Our hope is in that last baby, the Son of God and Man. He is our Rescuer, and we put our trust in Him—until the day He returns in glory, and all evils are gone forever.
WE PRAY: Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* What evils in the world trouble you now?
* How do you find peace and help when you are grieving or horrified?
* When has God helped you through a time of great evil?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 10-12 Matthew 4
God bless you for reading Lutheran Daily Devotional 4th January 2023 Message. Encourage someone today by sharing this Gospel.