Perhaps as you seek to know Christ more, you need direction for a specific leg of your journey! You’ve done all you know to do and don’t know which way to go next.
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)
The Magi could have waited word about Jesus, the One born king of the Jews, to arrive in their land. But instead they chose to become better acquainted with Him by taking a long journey. I love the following words from Matthew Henry’s commentary, “Those who truly desire to know Christ, and find him, will not regard pains or perils in seeking after him…Those who know something of Christ cannot but covet to know more of him.”
God directed the Magi to Jerusalem with a star then it disappeared. They did not give up their search but were then left with the usual methods of enquiry. “If we go on as far as we can in the way of duty, God will direct and enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot do.” Matthew Henry’s commentary.
God did not lead them to Jerusalem to leave them hanging. It was after a period He offered them further direction. Perhaps you are awaiting further direction from God.
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:9-11 (NIV)
Be faithful to know God has a plan. Be sure to enquire of the people God has placed in your life. Sometimes further direction comes from the people we least expect.
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
EDITED – Originally written for Immanuel Baptist Church 2016
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash