Weekend Words

 From Be Still and Know...

"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way" (Matthew 2:12)

In Matthew, the second chapter, we read of the wise men making a long journey in search of the new born King.  Guided by a star, their search came to an end in Bethlehem.  With great joy they bowed in worship of the Christ child, presenting Him with gifts.

Herod had asked them to return to Jerusalem to give him a report on finding the Babe.  Very likely this was their plan.  However, their course of travel was completely changed.  God warned them not to return to Jerusalem.  They were to return to their home "another way."  Although they may have wondered why, they obediently followed God's direction.

In a few days we will enter a new year.  As God places it in our hands, we will have the privilege of using it for Him.  Most of us already have plans for it.  Yet we can never be sure of what lies before us.  Next year's path may lead us in a completely different way, a new way we have never walked before.  It may bring a sudden change in our life.

God may say to us, "I want you to go 'another way' this year."  You may be comfortably situated in your home, everything going well for you.  Suddenly a change comes and you are to be moved to a new area.  This is not what you would choose, but God say, "This is 'another way' for you to take this year."  You may have to walk 'another way' as someone dear to you has been removed from your life.  'Another way' for you may be a serious illness.  We may not understand why we must go 'another way,' but God does, and He never makes a mistake.

We should be ready to accept changed plans as the wise men were.  When God leads us 'another way' we need to be ready to follow.

God says, "I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known" (Isaiah 42:16)

God will make a way Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me

He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way He will make a way

-Don Moen