The King Is and Always Will Be on the Throne

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:1-3

The Magi did not know what they were doing when they approached King Herod. They did not understand the depths of pride and hatred that resided in Herod’s heart. They had simply come to the king in search of the King of kings, and their goal was to worship the Savior. How were they to know that Herod intended to use them for evil? The situation could have been a disaster!

Herod’s goal was death to an apparent usurper rather than worship. This savior, this “king,” was a threat that needed to be destroyed. Herod summoned the Jewish leaders to find out where the prophets said the Messiah would be born. Bethlehem was the answer. Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem, not because he supported their mission to worship the Lord, but because he wanted Jesus dead.

Herod’s goals were of no consequence to God. God was in control then, as he always is now. God’s goal was to give the Magi the opportunity to worship. He warned the Magi in a dream not to go back to Herod after they had found and worshiped Jesus. Then he warned Joseph in a dream to take Jesus to safety in Egypt. In the end, God used a proud, tyrannical king to bring praise to himself through the wise men.

Throughout history, God has used governments and individuals, both good and bad, to accomplish his will. This year will be no exception. 2021 will go down in history as another extremely difficult year, for our country, and indeed for the world. A deadly virus and civil unrest could spell disaster. More personally, there may be individuals who seek to stand between us and God. We may be filled with anxiety about the future. We may worry our leaders will take away our religious freedom or that evil people will keep us from our Lord. Yet, even when times are at their most distressing, God is still in control. This Advent season, we remember that God’s goal is to bring us peace with him through Jesus. He gives us opportunities for worship and relief from our fears. He will always accomplish his goals. There is no Herod who can stop him.

Prayer:

Dear Father, we praise and adore you for your power, your plans, and your amazing love for us. Help us, this Advent season, to remember that you are always in control and that you are able to use the most unlikely sources to accomplish your goals. Thank you that, through your Holy Spirit, you have brought us to faith and enabled us to worship Jesus, our Savior and King of kings. Amen.

Written by DeLyn Wagenknecht
Provided by WELS Women’s Ministry

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