Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "For Thy Mercy And Thy Grace"1 (Lyrics)

Matthew 2:1-2 – 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, 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." (NKJV)

This is a familiar passage from a well-known story of 2000 years ago. Fast forward to today: You have just sent a tweet which features a picture of a majestic star:

    Fellow scientists and academics, we have been charting the course of this star for several days now. There is no scientific explanation for this star. I believe that this star fulfills the prophecy quoted in Numbers 24:17a – "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A star shall come out of Jacob; A scepter shall arise out of Israel." (NKJV) I am planning a pilgrimage to follow this star. The journey will take us far and will be difficult. We will take gifts and go and see the King! Please private message me if you would like to join the adventure.

Who do you think would reply to your tweet? Most people would probably think, "What a nut job!" Oh sure, a few thrill-seekers might want to join you, but would there be anyone who would have sufficient faith to believe that a King was being born to fulfil an ancient prophecy?

There are actually more questions than answers about the magi. Were they wise men or kings? How many were there? Did they travel on camels or horses? Where in the east did they come from? Despite these many questions, we do know that on faith, they undertook a difficult journey through deserts and mountains. They were confident that they would find the Christ Child, and they brought valuable gifts to worship Him. Who would do this — embark on a journey of hundreds of miles based on … faith!? They departed bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not items that everyday folk had sitting in their homes. Surely, there must have been pomp and ceremony attached to the preparation of the journey and the gifts. If they failed to find the King, they would return humiliated. Yet, no doubt is reflected in today's passage, only confidence that they would go, they would find, and they would worship the King.

We are poised to launch into a new year. Some of us eagerly await the joy of a new year, while others can barely wait to leave behind 2020 — a year of much pain and loss. Some will enter the coming year with trepidation. What will medical tests reveal for me? Is it possible to mend my broken heart? Lord, how will I survive with no job?

Jesus asks us, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith." (Matthew 8:26 NKJV) We now know that the magi found the Christ Child and did indeed have the opportunity to worship Him. Let us consider the faith example of the magi and enter the new year confidently, worshipping our Lord and knowing that God will be beside us no matter what we encounter.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are about to give us the gift of a new year on this earth. Help us to enter this year, worshipping You, confident in Your love and support. No matter what our situation, may we feel Your omnipotent, powerful presence, and know that all will be well, no matter what awaits us. Amen.

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About the author:

Orlanda Drebit <orlandadrebit@hotmail.com>
Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Excellent message. Thank you.


    Amen, Orlanda. Happy New Year.


    Thank you Orlanda for your uplifting post. Blessings to you in 2021!


    Thank you, Orlanda, for bringing life and new application to a familiar Bible episode.


    Orlanda, thank you for sharing this thought-provoking devotional with us today. Blessings.


    Thank you, Orlanda for such an encouraging start to the new year. Our Lord will definitely be with us.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!


    Thank you for your powerful message this morning. You were imaginative and clever when you wrote about having faith.
    Excellent message!


    I wonder if they were part of God’s plan to provide for support for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus on their journey to Egypt. How important it is to discern God’s will and say yes!


    Happy New Year Orlanda~
    Thank you for this today… really gets the brain thinking. Good question who would answer the tweet?
    God bless.


    Dear Orlanda,
    Beautifully said! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and faith. May the Good Lord bless you and yours in the new year with continued hope, love and a deep and abiding faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ.


    Greetings Orlanda,
    Many thanks for your devotional this morning and the good reminder that we need remain confident just like the wise men and the others were, that they would find what they set out for. Your closing prayer was very powerful.
    Blessings for your writings and may your New Year be filled with all the Lord’s blessings.
    (B.C.)


    Dear Orlanda,
    You have given me much to think about. I do know that it must have been difficult to believe when Jesus came because they were expecting a different fulfillment of the prophecy that what happened. I like your scenario around a tweet. I think if we work on growing closer to God, we won’t have as many questions because our faith will be stronger. Thank you for sharing your ideas. May many blessings come your way in this new year.


    Thank you, Orlanda for this devotion.
    I like it! and it brings out the fact that we have little faith compared to the Magi.
    They were wise and faithful.
    Coming from the east, did they believe in our God?
    They must have had strong convictions about this ‘star’.
    It must have been very different, and they were aroused by God to look further.
    This shows us how much God controls all people on earth.
    (Quebec)


    Good morning, Orlanda and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your mother.
    I was sitting here this morning, debating a question in my mind, but after reading your message of faith, trust and believing, I knew what I needed to do. I have reason to believe this message was meant for me, at this precise time.
    Yes, 2020 has certainly been a year of challenges, but by faith I carried on and will most definitely continue to do so. It is how I have gone through life, so I know of no better way to live. And God has ALWAYS come through in His perfect timing. Thanks be to God!
    We will go forward into the new year with FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, PEACE and JOY and with the Giver of these priceless blessings.
    Thanks again, Orlanda, for your gift of service in writing these devotions. You really do have an impact on our lives… today these people and tomorrow those people; people you know and those you don’t. What an awesome talent you have been blest with. May you continue in His service with your gifts and we will do likewise with ours.
    And again, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your mom. Let’s make it a year of GRATITUDE, a year of FAITH, a year of GROWTH in our walk with Christ.


    The journey of faith is difficult but the rewards amazing.
    Thank you.


    Happy New Year Orlanda. Again, thank you for your devotions God has blessed you with a beautiful gift of writing and I look forward to reading them! Hope all is well with you!
    God Bless!!! May we have the same faith the magi had this coming year!!


    Beautiful reflection to begin my morning – first morning of the New Year.
    Thank you for reminding me that FAITH is so precious. What a gift from the Lord – this faith that brings me to His WORD every morning early. This year I plan to discover the deepest meaning of “the fear of the Lord” and apply it each day of 2021.


    Amen! Thanks so much for these inspiring words, Orlanda.

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