Pursued, but not destroyed
God protects and preserves His gifts. Fear not you will not be destroyed, even though the enemy has pursued you left, right and centre.
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
(23/12/12 Sunday Service Sermon, Africa Transformation Mission. Pramukh Plaza, 6th Floor.)
Pastor Mary Mugo is a Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.
Matthew 2:1- 23
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
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.”
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.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
From the text, we notice the following lessons:
1) Whatever God has spoken over your life shall surely come to pass. Check verses 5, 15, 17-18, and 23. All what was happening to baby Jesus had earlier been prophesied by the prophets. It was now time to fulfil what was written. In Ecclesiastics 3:11, we learn that God makes everything beautiful in its time. The happenings in your life were predetermined (Romans 8:29-30). Nothing that comes to your life is a surprise to God and He reveals this to His servants the prophets. Are you in a fellowship or church family with a true servant of God who helps you understand the plan of God in your life through the true teaching of God’s word? This is important so that things do not catch you by surprise since God also said that He reveals His secrets to those who fear Him. Indeed the revealed things are for us and our children.
2) Your identified star is distinct and scares the enemy. Numbers 24:17 had earlier mentioned of the star which the wise men saw. There must have been other ordinary stars in the sky that night but this one star was significant.
God allows an identity and a gift that makes you stand out from the crowd. As long as you are out to please God, when everyone sits, you will stand; when they stand, you will become outstanding; when they become outstanding, you will be the standard measure. Each person has a distinct gift and that’s why I insist on remaining original without copying anyone else. Once the special star or your extraordinary gift is identified, the enemy starts to get troubled. If you have a gift and you do not know about it or you are not utilising it to maximum, it does not bother your enemies. But the moment you realise who you are and the distinct star in your life, the sleeping enemies start to get disturbed.
Did you know a dog does not bark at the car when it is parked but the moment the car starts to move, that’s when the dog starts to bark and run after the moving car. You all know even if the dog pursues the car, it cannot catch up with it or destroy it.
This is what was happening to the gift of God when Herod realised that the King has been revealed and signified by a unique star.
Similarly in the days of Joseph, the brothers were not bothered of him till the day he discovered he had a dream and was not just an ordinary boy. More so it was ok for Joseph while in Potiphar’s house till the day she discovered his special relationship with his God.
Brethren, nobody bothers with you when you are at status quo sinning like anybody else and living just an ordinary life. But the day you make a firm stand to belong to and follow Jesus, your mockers and fighters will arise.You need to loudly sing ‘I have decided to follow Jesus x3 no turning back no turning back’. It was ok in Nebuchadnezzar’s time for the 3 guys, Shadrack, Misheck and Abednego when they were ordinary servants. No one noticed them till they declared a firm position in God. The moment you choose not to compromise your faith, the enemy will try out any trick but he will not overcome you. We are not fighting for victory, but from victory which has already been accorded.
1) Whatever God has spoken over your life shall surely come to pass. Check verses 5, 15, 17-18, and 23. All what was happening to baby Jesus had earlier been prophesied by the prophets. It was now time to fulfil what was written. In Ecclesiastics 3:11, we learn that God makes everything beautiful in its time. The happenings in your life were predetermined (Romans 8:29-30). Nothing that comes to your life is a surprise to God and He reveals this to His servants the prophets. Are you in a fellowship or church family with a true servant of God who helps you understand the plan of God in your life through the true teaching of God’s word? This is important so that things do not catch you by surprise since God also said that He reveals His secrets to those who fear Him. Indeed the revealed things are for us and our children.
2) Your identified star is distinct and scares the enemy. Numbers 24:17 had earlier mentioned of the star which the wise men saw. There must have been other ordinary stars in the sky that night but this one star was significant.
God allows an identity and a gift that makes you stand out from the crowd. As long as you are out to please God, when everyone sits, you will stand; when they stand, you will become outstanding; when they become outstanding, you will be the standard measure. Each person has a distinct gift and that’s why I insist on remaining original without copying anyone else. Once the special star or your extraordinary gift is identified, the enemy starts to get troubled. If you have a gift and you do not know about it or you are not utilising it to maximum, it does not bother your enemies. But the moment you realise who you are and the distinct star in your life, the sleeping enemies start to get disturbed.
Did you know a dog does not bark at the car when it is parked but the moment the car starts to move, that’s when the dog starts to bark and run after the moving car. You all know even if the dog pursues the car, it cannot catch up with it or destroy it.
This is what was happening to the gift of God when Herod realised that the King has been revealed and signified by a unique star.
Similarly in the days of Joseph, the brothers were not bothered of him till the day he discovered he had a dream and was not just an ordinary boy. More so it was ok for Joseph while in Potiphar’s house till the day she discovered his special relationship with his God.
Brethren, nobody bothers with you when you are at status quo sinning like anybody else and living just an ordinary life. But the day you make a firm stand to belong to and follow Jesus, your mockers and fighters will arise.You need to loudly sing ‘I have decided to follow Jesus x3 no turning back no turning back’. It was ok in Nebuchadnezzar’s time for the 3 guys, Shadrack, Misheck and Abednego when they were ordinary servants. No one noticed them till they declared a firm position in God. The moment you choose not to compromise your faith, the enemy will try out any trick but he will not overcome you. We are not fighting for victory, but from victory which has already been accorded.
Did you notice in Exodus 1 that the increase in number for Israelites stirred trouble in Pharaoh’s heart? When you are at minimal, it may not matter to the enemy, but the moment you start being very productive even at your work place, in business or even in your walk with God, you stir up the kingdom of darkness to get interested in where you are going. Do not be not afraid, though pursued you will not be destroyed. It was not until Moses knew his identity and rescued fellow Israelites that the pursuit began. I declare, though pursued because of the gift in you, you will not be destroyed.
3) Never take the word of the enemy because the devil is a liar, crafty and cunning (John 8:44).
The enemy schemes to distract you but glory to God, he is a defeated foul. How could Herod deceive the wise men and cunningly tell them after they follow the star and find the king, they return through his place and give a report so that he can also go and worship Him? What a lie? Brethren, beware of such deceptions because many who are enemies of the cross will try to use you to distract the servants of God. Never allow to be used of the enemy to distract or discourage those who serve God. The wise men heard Herod but chose not to hearken. Whatever your enemies will say to you, be careful how you react. Remember those who accused Sadrack, Misheck and Abednego perished in the furnace.
4) Your star will not go off till it accomplishes the purpose. The star remained till the wise men worshipped Jesus.
5) Be sensitive to the leading of God. Joseph listened and obeyed the angels’ instructions to move appropriately. In the midst of being pursued, be sensitive to God and move as He instructs; your personal wisdom cannot rescue you but because God knows the safe zones where your gift will be nurtured and guarded, move as He leads. The Lord orders the feet of righteous men, He ordered Joseph on what to do at every step till they were back to Galilee. He will be in the fire as the fourth man even when the gift is pursued to the level of being thrown into the furnace. His presence will guard you till your clothes will not have the smell of smoke. That’s why He is God.
6) Know that the enemy will finally die and perish as you watch. Herod finally died, Pharoah finally died, those who threw the 4 guys into the fire finally died. As you continue to utilise the gift in you, though pursued, you will not be destroyed.
In 1 Corinthians 4:9 we are not crushed, not in despair, not destroyed. These are light afflictions, compared to the eternal glory. Fear not, He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). His promise in Psalm 34 and Psalm 37 is great. He is a refuge and strength and an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46). He never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121). He is a safe dwelling place (Psalm 91).
3) Never take the word of the enemy because the devil is a liar, crafty and cunning (John 8:44).
The enemy schemes to distract you but glory to God, he is a defeated foul. How could Herod deceive the wise men and cunningly tell them after they follow the star and find the king, they return through his place and give a report so that he can also go and worship Him? What a lie? Brethren, beware of such deceptions because many who are enemies of the cross will try to use you to distract the servants of God. Never allow to be used of the enemy to distract or discourage those who serve God. The wise men heard Herod but chose not to hearken. Whatever your enemies will say to you, be careful how you react. Remember those who accused Sadrack, Misheck and Abednego perished in the furnace.
4) Your star will not go off till it accomplishes the purpose. The star remained till the wise men worshipped Jesus.
5) Be sensitive to the leading of God. Joseph listened and obeyed the angels’ instructions to move appropriately. In the midst of being pursued, be sensitive to God and move as He instructs; your personal wisdom cannot rescue you but because God knows the safe zones where your gift will be nurtured and guarded, move as He leads. The Lord orders the feet of righteous men, He ordered Joseph on what to do at every step till they were back to Galilee. He will be in the fire as the fourth man even when the gift is pursued to the level of being thrown into the furnace. His presence will guard you till your clothes will not have the smell of smoke. That’s why He is God.
6) Know that the enemy will finally die and perish as you watch. Herod finally died, Pharoah finally died, those who threw the 4 guys into the fire finally died. As you continue to utilise the gift in you, though pursued, you will not be destroyed.
In 1 Corinthians 4:9 we are not crushed, not in despair, not destroyed. These are light afflictions, compared to the eternal glory. Fear not, He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). His promise in Psalm 34 and Psalm 37 is great. He is a refuge and strength and an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46). He never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121). He is a safe dwelling place (Psalm 91).
-- Pastor Mary Mugo.
(23/12/12 Sunday Service Sermon, Africa Transformation Mission. Pramukh Plaza, 6th Floor.)
Pastor Mary Mugo is a Pastor at Africa Transformation Mission, a ministry under Christ Harvesters Ministries.
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