Stop, Stay, Go
The Maji followed God’s leading by signs, star, and dream. They had ignored the disquieting voices in their heads and around them, that may have told them that they were unwise to take such a journey. But their instincts, the quiet prompting of God, and their research, told them to follow the rising, leading star. After finding the infant, and in response to a dream, they were guided to find a new way home, avoiding a return to Herod’s palace.
This new journey would be without the comfort of the leading star but God, in His mercy, gave His protection and safety to the Maji. They trusted and followed the dream’s instruction and the guidance of God.
They returned to their own country by another route because God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. Matthew 2 v 12
Protection, safety, and guidance had been given to Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus. Joseph, being warned by an angel of the Lord in a dream to escape from Herod and his anger, escaped with his family to Egypt, leaving hurriedly, in the middle of the night. They remained there as strangers, and refugees in a foreign land, because Herod’s clear intention was to search for and destroy the child. “Stay there until you hear from Me.” Matthew 2 v 13
I love that phrase ‘stay there until you hear from me.’ Joseph was told by God to wait for the right time and His guidance, which would allow the family to return to their homeland. He was to stay, to remain, to be settled, even though he could not know God’s timing.
Two years later, and once again instructed in a dream, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, returned to their homeland of Israel. With Joseph’s wisdom and discernment, and God’s clear direction, Joseph took his young family, to Nazareth, in the region of Galilee. Herod Archelaus was now ruling in place of his father Herod the Great, so Jesus could still be in danger. The Nazarenes were often treated with suspicion and caution by other Jews and Jesus was once called ‘Jesus the Nazarene’ in an insulting, derogatory way. But this move would perhaps keep Jesus safe.
So, the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2 v22-23 NLT
Care, certainty, God’s safe keeping and guidance are for those who trust in the name of the Lord. We may not have dreams, or hear angel voices, but we can lean into Him daily to know his presence with us and to find His direction. May we try not to look back, only forward to a new way, a new path, a new road. Not a star, but Jesus as the light for that new path, and this coming year. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32 v 8 NLT
SONG Lyrics My Guardian
King of love and grace, my Guardian,
All my hopes and fears are in Your hands;
I’m in Your hands.
Where You go, I’ll go; show me the way.
Every step I take be now my guide,
God on my side.
You go before me, You’re there beside me,
And if I wander Love will find me.
Goodness and mercy will always follow.
You go before me, my Guardian.
All my hopes and fears are in Your hands;
I’m in Your hands.
Where You go, I’ll go; show me the way.
Every step I take be now my guide,
God on my side.
You go before me, You’re there beside me,
And if I wander Love will find me.
Goodness and mercy will always follow.
You go before me, my Guardian.
Jane Coates
17 January 2025