Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Kings don’t know how to kneel. Others kneel before them. Others praise them, honor them, and bring gifts to them. If a king is humbled it normally means that he has been defeated. For a king to be humbled is to be debased.
In our devotional reading for today we have an example of one king who refused to kneel and others who longed to kneel. King Herod revolted at the idea of kneeling before a baby King. His reaction to the thought was to destroy this baby King who had seemed to be a divine challenge. The other kings had traveled long and far at great expense. They brought gifts fitting for a royal birthday party. They were urgent in their inquiries as they sought to kneel beside the cradle of the baby King.
Do we have a similar urgent desire to set aside our ambitions, to forfeit our dreams, to sacrifice our substance in order to have the privilege of kneeling before the King? Jesus seemed to refer to this level of commitment when He said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23 )
Dr. Gayle Woods
Zech. 14:1-11 (9)
I was spellbound as I looked down at the carnage. There laying in my lap was my father’s book which described in word and picture the events that took place during World War II. It showed how his division in the infantry had hopped from island to island throughout the South Pacific.
In the picture that had my attention lifeless bodies carpeted the battlefield. It looked like it would be difficult to pass through the field without stepping on a dead soldier. As I studied the pictures I came to know that this was the trail left by the conqueror.
One day in our future the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords will say it is enough. Those who have rejected Him and rebelled against Him will know the heat of His fury. Those who have scorned Him will wilt before the scorching scrutiny of His examination. All His enemies will be slain.
Only those who have sworn allegiance to King Jesus and who are pleasing in His sight will be left to praise and glorify His name.
At times it seems that the secular pagan has the Christian in retreat. It seems that we are backing up. It seems that we are forced to delay the progress of the kingdom. It seems that we are not victorious. This is when we must recall that the battle is not yet over. The trumpet of God has not yet sounded. The King has not yet mounted His steed. One day Jesus the Captain of our Salvation will look out before Him to see that all are bowing before Him.
Dr. Gayle Woods
