Verse of the Day - Matthew 2:13

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up and flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child." Matthew 2:13 (NLT)
****************************************************

The late Rich Mullins wrote "My Deliverer" a number of years ago, a haunting song surrounding this strange period in Christ's life...

Joseph took his wife and child and they went to Africa
To escape the rage of a deadly king
There along the banks of the Nile, Jesus listened to the song
That the captive children used to sing, they were singing...

My Deliverer is coming - My Deliverer is standing by...

Through a dry and thirsty land
Water from the Kenyon heights, pours itself out of Lake Sangra's broken heart
There in the Sahara winds, Jesus heard the whole world cry
for the healing that would flow from His own scars, the world was singing...

My Deliverer is coming - My Deliverer is standing by...

He will never break His promise - He has written it upon the sky...
I will never doubt His promise though I doubt my heart - I doubt my eyes...
He will never break His promise though the stars should break faith with the sky...

My Deliverer is coming - My Deliverer is standing by.

What a strange time that must've been for those three exiles. They had no idea how long they would live in this foreign land when Joseph was warned to go. Just go and I'll tell you when it's safe to come home...

The Bible tells us that King Herod went on a rampage and killed every boy child two years and under, in accordance with the time that the Eastern wise men had first visited him, looking for the baby King. What terrible devastation was wrought on the people of Israel because of this king's insecurity and desire for continued power...

I've actually thought of writing a story surrounding the life of just one of the mothers whose child was killed from Herod's death sentence. Surely there were other young mothers in Bethlehem that Mary would've become acquainted with. In their subsequent grief, did hatred boil up for this little boy named Jesus, this little boy who escaped the king's wrath? Many mothers' arms were cold and empty, while Mary rocked her son "on the banks of the Nile". I wonder what these people thought when His name surfaced again 30 years later?

Yes, Jesus' life was earmarked with persecution. And God delivered Him--until the time was right to deliver Him no more. Then the Deliverer was delivered into evil hands for those evil hands... what a strange paradox.

So, too, those who have followed Him have met with resistance at best, and annihilation at worst. Jesus knew He was calling His followers into a dangerous and deadly wake.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." ~ Jesus, in John 15:18-20

Jesus is salt to the wounds of those who don't know Him, and they fight against Him with all they have; yet, He is the only flavor of life for those who turn toward Him in truth and repentance. This fight has gone on for 2,000 years, and will continue until He returns.

The days are evil, and many are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Here in America, we feel relatively secure...yet, many around the world are dying every day when they stand their ground in the soil of Jesus Christ. Those of us who have safety...please pray for our brothers and sisters who don't. Of course, we pray for deliverance...but more importantly, pray for their steadfastness to Him. The devil wants to break the spiritual back of believers, and a person's faith is severely tested in the fire of physical and mental persecution.

Some risk death by speaking His name. Most do not. I think we need to seize the day, while it is day...

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ~ Paul, in Ephesians 5:15-16

Our Deliverer has come, and is coming again...are you ready?

Love,
Joelene