Lutheran Daily Devotional 5th January 2023 Thursday 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: Planning
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth. (Matthew 2:19-23)
Lutheran Daily Devotional 5th January 2023 MESSAGE
It looks very much like Joseph had been planning to take his family back to Bethlehem originally, instead of Nazareth. But Joseph felt uneasy about that. Herod’s sons had divided up his country to rule, and Bethlehem belonged to Archelaus now—and he was the worst of them all. Would he try to kill Jesus like his father? Then God sent a prophetic dream to Joseph, and that settled things. They went home to Nazareth, in far-off Galilee. And Jesus grew up in safety.
Joseph did right to use his common sense—and to listen to God’s direction as well. And we do right when we listen to both—and most of all, when we put our trust in Jesus, who “became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30b). No one who trusts in Him will ever be destroyed. He is our Savior and Keeper.
WE PRAY: You are my wisdom, Lord. Help me to trust in You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you tend to trust logic or intuition more?
* What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
* Tell about a time you got wise advice from a fellow Christian.
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Genesis 13-15 Matthew 5:1-26
God bless you for reading Lutheran Daily Devotional 5th January 2023 Message. Encourage someone today by sharing this Gospel.