Listen to this devotion
How Long, Lord?
In the Word
β¦ an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you β¦"Β (Matthew 2:13b).
Of the Word
"How long, Lord?" "How long will it be until I find a job?" "How long will I suffer this pain?" "How long can these problems last?" In times of stress and anxiety, we yearn to know how long.
In a dream, an angel instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. The family fled their home in the dead of night to avoid Herod's soldiers and their murderous mission. How long would the family need to stay in Egypt? How long until they felt at home in a strange community? How long would Herod's insanity last? They didn't know. As they had done before, Joseph and Mary put the Word of God above their doubts and questions.
God's unfailing guidance is open to us through His Word, the Bible. In the Bible, we will hear what is truly important: not questions like "how long?" but promises like β¦ the Lord is faithful (2 Thessalonians 3:3a); I will never leave you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5b); and Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you" (Isaiah 46:4a).
Walking with my Lord
Lord Jesus, give me comfort and strength as I rely on You. Amen.
Mustard Seed: The Joy of Christmas. 12/32 Author: Patricia Mitchell. Β©2011 Lutheran Womenβs Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Copyright Β© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.
