Today's Reading:
Matthew 1,2,3,4
Scripture
“The Magi arrived from the East, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?’ and when Herod heard it, he was troubled … and gathering all the chief priests and scribes … he began to inquire of them where this Christ was to be born. And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for it has been written by the prophet, ‘And you Bethlehem of Judea, are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:2-6)
Observation
The chief priests and scribes knew exactly where the Messiah was to be born. They even had it memorized, but although they had the exact knowledge of it, we don’t notice any chief priests or scribes at the manger.
They had the knowledge, but not the obedience, and because of this, they would later be found working against the plan of God rather than with it. Thus, they would later be excluded from God’s program and would oppose the very one they should have known everything about.
Application
My future will be determined more by this one characteristic than I will ever realize. How much do I know … but have yet to obey? Do I have knowledge without compliance? It doesn’t matter if I memorize God’s instructions. It is useless until it seeps into my shoes.
- If it remains in my head, it remains information.
- If it stirs my heart, it becomes inspiration.
- But it is only as I obey that it turns into incarnation.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please show me the areas of information without incarnation in my life. Help me to bridge that chasm and be found at the manger giving You my gifts and worship. I give You my all today. I will apply all I know and join the wise men who risked it all for the King who did the same for me.
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