WISE MEN INDEED: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 25th DECEMBER 2018.

MEMORISE:

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. Proverb 9:9

READ: Matthew 2:9-15

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee 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 into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

MESSAGE

One proof that a man is wise is that he listens to instruction and takes to correction. In this regard, Proverbs 10:8 says:

“The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.”

Wisdom is considered to be the correct application of knowledge; it is therefore a wise thing to seek knowledge. The wise men from the east demonstrated their wisdom by applying their knowledge of stars to seek after the new-born King Jesus. 

Wisdom is not determined by the number of academic qualifications gathered but by the products of the quest for knowledge. These wise men saw a unique star, and they sought after, its meaning until it led them to the Bright and Morning Star. 

For two years, they were resolute in finding the new-born King. The learned rabbis in Israel did not see what the wise men saw, even though it was happening in their own backyard. 

How amazing! Of course, this is why these men from the east were considered to be wise.  Although only God knows what these wise men did with their discovery of the Kings of the Jews, also born to be the King of the world, their wisdom would have been in doubt if they had not heeded the Lord’s instruction that they should not return to King Herod. 

Their efforts would have been wasted and they would have gone back to their country frustrated and in sorrow, because the wicked King Herod would have slaughtered the Holy Child right before them. 

Thank God they were not just philosopher and theologians, but also men who heard from God. They were not carried away by the allure of gifts they would have received from the king for their great discovery; rather, they heeded the voice of the Lord. 

This world would have been a better place if our philosophers and theologians were also prophets.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”   Proverbs 4:7

The wisdom of God in the above scripture recommends that we deploy everything we have in the quest for understanding the surest way of getting understanding is through the scriptures. 

Unfortunately, some foolish people who think they are wise are always undermining the Bible, which is the true source of knowledge and understanding (Psalm 119:104). 

Beloved, ensure that your knowledge is based on the word of God, and that your understanding of things is influenced by the mind of God as revealed in his word. Merry Christmas!

KEY POINT:

Always seeking after the interest of God’s Kingdom, which Jesus Christ came to establish in this world, makes you wise indeed.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Habakkuk 1-3, John 17: 20-18:14

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.