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Wisdom from the Wise Men

Biblical scholars think that the wise men spent months, if not a year or more, looking for Jesus.

Finally, in Matthew 2:10, the Word says, "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

What a profound verse. Here's what I glean from this sentence:

 1. The wise men were looking, and looking expectantly.
They believed what they had been told, and then they actively pursued the fulfillment of it. When God tells you something, do you A) believe Him, and B) wait for it expectantly? Sometimes I struggle with part A. If I do decide to believe and get to the waiting-for-fulfillment part, then I probably wait impatiently, agonizing, instead of expectantly continuing forward in the direction God has given. Oh how I long to "stay on the path" and pursue what God has for me, as the wise men did, instead of getting impatient and trying to make my own way!

 2. The wise men recognized the star as a sign.
Sometimes when God shows up, we don't even recognize Him. We allow ourselves to be so consumed with the here and now and bogged down simply "getting things done" that we fail to even see, much less acknowledge, His movements in our day. Do we acknowledge the millions of miracles and interventions He makes on our behalf daily? Asking God to make us aware of His presence in our daily routine can open our eyes and widen our perspective, therefore deepening our understanding of who He is and also our gratefulness for Him. Let's seek to give Him credit where credit is due.

3. The wise men were overjoyed by the star (which signaled Jesus' presence).
Not to oversimplify, but are we overjoyed with Jesus? I've felt challenged lately to make sure that I am more overjoyed and in love with Jesus than I am with His blessings. Let's ask Him to make our hearts and souls fully satisfied with Him and to help us identify the things we're putting before Him. Christmas is a time when things can be so full and frantic. I want to long for Him and allow Him to satisfy me. Let's be sure that our real joy is from and for only Him. 

 I love how one verse - one short sentence! - in the Word of God can communicate so much to me. Only He can write that way!

  

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 2, 2015 at 7:33 PM

    Thank you Leigh! That was very insightful, and filled with 100% truth. I have never looked at that passage like you just presented.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJanuary 2, 2016 at 9:48 AM

    Excellent, Leigh! Grateful you have a husband and daughter occupying your current responsibilities! What an amazing privilege!

    ReplyDelete

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