What Jesus Did! 'When God Stays Away' — Matthew 2:13

Sunday, January 12, 2025

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."
— Matthew 2:13 NLT

Key Thought

Egypt was a long hard journey and a great unknown to this young family. Yet, it was God's place of protection. God's commands can call us to something that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable or that we consider difficult or undesirable. Yet, throughout revealed Scripture, the Father shows us his reason for these demands. He wants to protect us and bless us, just as he protected Joseph, Mary, and Jesus from King Herod at this crucial juncture in Jesus' life. When fully analyzed, God's commands are not unreasonable demands, but they are part of his protection. When we do what God commands, we are blessed and protected in ways we may never understand. In addition, our obedience ensures that we are available to be used by him, in his work, at his time.

Today's Prayer

Thank you, God, for caring not only about my holiness, but also about my physical and spiritual protection. Give me strength to stay away from those things you prohibit, courage to do what you ask of me, and excitement to enjoy the life I have in you. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

12 Related Resources by Heartlight

Dry Pine Needles and Cold, Dusty Attics
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus' real-to-life circumstances, along with his dangerous predicaments caused by his divine reality, are comforting to me. Phil Ware reminds us that as we clean up from Christmas and New Year, the mess left after the holidays should remind us of the hard times Jesus and his family faced after his birth.
Collision of Heaven & Hell
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Holy Child of God, Many folks pause this time of year to remember My birth. That is a good thing. They rejoice with the angels singing praises....."
In a Dream
Article by Phil Ware
What do you do with your shattered dreams? Phil Ware talks about the recurring phrase in Matthew 1 and 2, in a dream, and how God fills the empty spaces left behind by our broken dreams.
Hard Realities
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, As your Christmas season comes to an end, you are left to clean up the messes — the leftovers in the fridge, the house after the..."
See All 12 Related Resources about Matthew 2:13

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 2:13 NLT — "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," —— "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 12, 2025

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Coming Glory' (Ro. 8:15)
"Dear Father, creator and re-creator of the world, Whatever I may have to suffer is nothing compared to the glory you will reveal in your people, and...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Messiah's Resurrection' (Acts 2:29-31)
"[Referring to David's prophecy he just quoted, Peter continued his sermon:] "Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Prayer + Touch Has Extra Healing Power'
"Publius’ father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, and put his hands on the man and healed him."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'ASK!'
"Dear Beloved, We are returning today to what is often called My Sermon on the Mount. What I want you to see today is a clear, simple, time-proven..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!