Friday, December 16 (Suggested reading: Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 55:1-13)
Whenever scientists need to explain why something is the way it is, they turn to the process they know best-the process of research. They carefully plan, conduct, measure, and document experiments in the hopes of finding the answers they are looking for. Sometimes the answers are there, sometimes they are not. Sometimes answers that have been proven true many, many times, suddenly change drastically, throwing everyone off balance.
There is much speculation about this, but one author gets to the heart: “We like to pretend that our experiments define the truth for us. But that’s not often the case. Just because an idea is true doesn’t mean it can be proved. And just because an idea can be proved doesn’t mean it’s true. When the experiments are done, we still have to choose what to believe.” (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/13/the-truth-wears-off)
God tells us that, though His wisdom is far beyond our ability to comprehend, when we make the choice to seek Him, we will find Him and experience all the grace, mercy, joy and peace that He offers.
Magi were men who studied the stars. They believed they could use the stars to tell the future. Even though God forbids this practice, He knew that these men were searching the skies because they had a need for something, though they were not sure what it was. Just imagine the hundreds of times those men had looked up into the sky. They knew where each star should be at any given time of the year. Until suddenly, something was there that didn’t have an explanation- the star of Bethlehem. Because they were well educated, they knew the Scriptures, and perhaps they recalled Balaam’s prophecy about the star coming forth from Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Or perhaps a still, small voice just urged them to “Follow.”
God knew that these men needed a Savior, and He honored their sincere desire to find Him, worship Him, and involve Him in their lives. He led the Magi to Christ, using the very thing that would get their attention.
Isn’t God so good to us? Even when we are in the wrong place, moving in the wrong direction, He gently guides us to the right place. He “shows up” right where we are. He leads us to Himself because of His great love for us, and because He desires our fellowship.
This Road Home 