Father, many things weigh on my heart and mind, and I seek clarity, but some things are easier to find than others. Please guide me in the right direction, with Your heart at the center of it all. Amen.
Matthew 2:1-12 (<<click here to read the passage)
It seems odd to be reading through the first chapters of Matthew because we tend to associate them with December and not April. Celebrating Your birth in December may be a man-made thing, but regardless, we can learn from the characters associated with Your coming to earth, and the wise men definitely have some things to share.
It’s interesting to compare their mentality in coming to You and many of ours. They said, “…we have come to worship him.” They came to give. They came to honor. They came to extend proper acknowledgment of who You were (and still are, for that matter). But why do we come to You?
So many times, instead of bearing gifts, we come with our hands extended, expecting to receive.
Instead of seeking a church where we can worship You, we look for what a church can offer us.
We are so full of ourselves that we demand that You show us who You are and expect You to give us a reason to stay around. We have the arrogance to say, “Here’s what the world’s offering me—can You beat it?”
Unfortunately, we treat You more like a waiter than our Master and Creator. “Can I get a refill of my drink? I really shouldn’t have to ask. It’s your job, isn’t it?”
Lord, may I never treat You like the genie in the bottle who is there to make my wishes come true. May I keep myself in the proper place of humility and contriteness. Lord, You love me; You sought me out when I was lost. When I come before You, may it be with head bowed and eyes closed. Worship is do You. You deserve the best that I have to give to You. I don’t deserve anything good – only death and condemnation. But You graciously – mercifully – give good to me regardless. May I be a wise man as I come to worship You. Amen.
(Sept 14th, 2017, Thurs, 8:28 pm)
Apr 29th, 2024, Mon, 7:25 pm
