Christmas Advent Devotional | Day 9
Advent – Day 9
Why is evil allowed to prevail? How many times have we heard this question when speaking of a God who is love. Continuing from yesterday’s theme, Deliver us from evil, we look at restoration in the midst of destruction. Advent means “coming,” and we are taking time to reflect on the birth of Jesus, as well as His second coming and it’s significance to each one of us. We are continuing our journey in the second chapter of Matthew, where we left off yesterday.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:16-21
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.”
19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Devotional Thoughts
King Herod was furious that the wise men did not return to let him know where the Infant-King had been born. He exercised his fury by putting to death all young males in Bethlehem under the age of two years. This was a horrendous act, causing great sorrow to the households and city of Bethlehem. Imagine the broken hearts of so many mothers and fathers. At the birth of Moses, another appointed deliverer of Israel, a similar thing had happened. Pharaoh had released an edict for all young male infants to be killed at birth because of his intense hatred for the people of Israel. There was much fear and mourning, yet the promises of God prevailed. We have in nearer timeframes seen genocides, including the Holocaust of European Jews, racial crimes, mass bombings and incredibly evil and unpardonable acts of wickedness. In grief and sorrow some ask why a loving God will permit such a thing.
In the book of Matthew there is a parable that parallels these evils. A man sowed good seed in his field and while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slunk away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, the weeds also appeared. His servants then went to report this to him, and the man, examining the unfortunate result, said, “An enemy has done this.” This is still true today. An enemy is at work to destroy. God gives us all free will, and gives us many opportunities to do good on this earth. Yet there are many who would rather express themselves through evil, obeying the suggestions of the enemy, causing havoc to many. The servants from the parable then asked the man (just as we also ask God) if he wanted to immediately uproot the weeds. His answer is one that we should take note of from Matthew 13:
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
There is judgment reserved for those who choose to exercise evil. We may not see God’s retribution immediately when these acts are committed, but a time of justice is coming. No evil deed goes unpunished, and the Lord brings restoration to those who are broken-hearted, and have lost much. If you have been affected by evil doings, today, receive an infusion of hope. Your Lord knows, and is already working vengeance and restoration on your behalf.
Christ – Our Restorer
Matthew then brings in a prophecy from the book of Jeremiah. Rachel weeping for her children (Jeremiah 31:15). Jacob’s wife Rachel, many centuries before, had died near Bethlehem and entombed near there. A few generations later, in that same place, sons were carried into captivity by the Babylonians around 586 B.C.1 Jeremiah the prophet, depicting Rachel as a mother of Israel, described the sorrow that went with the captivity: Rachel weeping for her children.
In this very place, fast forward to the reign of Herod, sons were being murdered, causing Rachel to weep once again. Jeremiah’s prophecy doesn’t end there however. In the next few verses he prophecies restoration, the wiping away of tears and hope for the consolation of Israel (Jeremiah 31:16-18). Heinous acts cannot triumph over good, just as Herod could not prevent the survival and life of Jesus Christ, whose existence imputes life to those who would receive it. This very Christ, in whom we have the ultimate promise and manifestation of God’s restoration for us. Be encouraged!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are a God of justice as well as a Restorer. Restore me where I am broken, Restore my faith where it is weak because of evil that has bombarded my sphere. Restore my walk with you. Let doubt of your goodness and your love be removed from my heart. Revive me spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I trust in you that your justice will prevail, and evil will not win. All glory be to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
1 NKJV Study Bible Full Color, 3rd Edition. Matthew 2:18 note.
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Christmas Advent Devotional Day 8
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