By Pastor Robert Forsberg

“When they (the wise men) had gone, 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, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’” (Matthew 2:13)

There are several Scriptural accounts of God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of His Son, Jesus. There is no way anything can happen to Him outside the will of the Father. What a hopeless mission Herod has sent his soldiers on. They cannot succeed. It is impossible, even through the slaughter will include many innocent children just too hopefully kill a special one. With God’s angel working on behalf of Jesus He will be protected. How wonderful to have such protection from our God.

As followers of Jesus we live in a hostile world just like He did. There are those trying to water down, compromise or suppress our witness. We remember when Mayor Bloomberg of New York City banned prayer and clergy from the tenth anniversary ceremony of the 9/11 attack. How outrageous this is in the country that champions freedom of religion. But this should not be surprising to us who follow Jesus. It is to be expected.

There will be those who try to marginalize us but we will stand. We need not fear because we represent the Hope of the world – Jesus. Our life and eternity is in safe hands.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your plans for us are beyond this world. Prepare us for any persecution coming our way. In reality, they are persecuting You and pushing You out of their lives. Lord, have mercy upon their souls and convert them to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.