Today’s Scripture: Matthew 2:10, NKJV- “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
Rejoicing with exceedingly great joy sounds superfluous, doesn’t it? However, I can relate to the overwhelming feelings the wise men experienced back in Matthew 2. God is so far beyond our understanding that words cannot describe His majesty or the joy we find in Him.
I do rejoice in the Lord when He shows me His greatness when I am not even looking. This morning, I was headed to Matthew 5:6 because it is the key scripture for the Week 7 Day 2 Re:generation lesson entitled “What do you thirst for?”
I felt the need to go to the beginning of Matthew to make sure I had the proper context. Matthew begins with the genealogy from King David to Jesus. I found that interesting because just last night I watched an episode of a series about David. I did not recall some of the names and characters. This piqued my interest this morning to see if I could identify those being portrayed. I did not find what I thought I was looking for.
Continuing to read towards Matthew 5, I was reminded of the story of the Maji or the three wise men we grew up with in church plays. Re-reading scriptures are great reminders and how God speaks to us. I am constantly surprised by things I have forgotten.
Reading that the Magi had rejoiced with exceedingly great joy in Matthew 2:10, it prompted me to see if I had ever written an affirmation claiming such joy. I was amazed to find that I had never posted on these scriptures.
Unlike our childhood plays, the wise men did not find Jesus until He was as old as two years old (why King Herod ordered the killing of all males two years old or younger) and living in Jerusalem. He, Mary, and Joseph had long departed the manger.
The wise men had traveled to Jerusalem from eastern lands to find the king of the Jews because they had seen His star rise when He was born. They went to King Herod and asked where to find the King of the Jews. All the priests advised them that Micah 5:2 had prophesied seven hundred years earlier that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Although they were instructed to go to Bethlehem, God had other plans and ways to direct them. Suddenly, it seems, they saw the same star that had risen when Jesus was born, and it was now stopped over the place Jesus would be found on that day. It hit me this morning that when we do not know where to go next, we can also be overjoyed to know our God will guide us to exactly the place we are to be today.
We can rejoice and trust God. This biblical account does not say that the wise men even asked God where to go. They had gone to Herod to ask him. It is also amazing how quickly we too can forget the signs that God has given us, and we look for direction elsewhere.
I am not promising you a star, but I am exceedingly confident that God gets each of us to where He wants us. Regardless of our wrong steps and directions, when we are seeking what God wants us to find, we will find it.
Which brings me to Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (ESV) If we hunger and thirst to do what is right and to be where God wants us to be, He will get us there.
Are you looking for where God wants you today?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding us. I am rejoicing in You LORD with exceedingly great joy. My greatest hunger and thirst are to complete Your will. Thank You LORD for promising that we will be filled with Your direction. Make sure I am where You want me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
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