Heart

Doubting God is a disease that continues to infect the human heart. God provides sin’s sacrifice; we proclaim self-sufficiency. God provides forgiveness; we carry our sin. God promises never to leave us; we feel alone.

What a response to God! What generosity! Remember these were “freewill offerings” the people were bringing. They were giving voluntarily from a heart of worship in response to God’s amazing love and grace. How are you doing with your freewill offerings?

From the Old Testament to the New, giving is an act of individual worship. Giving out of compulsion, legalism, manipulation or force is not worship at all.

There is much discussion about God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. But think about it. This was a tremendous act of God’s grace. God simply kept the pagan king doing what his heart was already bent on doing - opposing the work of God. The multiple plagues showed the Israelites that God was to be feared and followed.

Is there anything God is calling you to do that you are resisting? Anything that you are ignoring or putting off? A life calling? A career change? A new focus? Dealing with a sinful pattern? Dealing with an emotional scar? Getting help with your brokenness? Getting involved in a ministry? Are you reluctant to follow the call? Why? Look at what God did with Moses’ reluctant heart. Think of what He could do with yours.

No one or no thing can stand between you and God. God will not put you through the same test he required of Abraham, but he wants your total allegiance just the same. Put him first and he will provide everything you need. Remember, his name is Jehovah-Jireh.

How about you? Where are your tents pitched? What are you willing to concede for your “flocks to thrive”? Many are willing to compromise their reputation, marriage and family for the sake of power and possessions.

While there are things we don’t know about the wise men, here are the things we know for certain. These men made a great sacrifice to see Jesus. They traveled a great distance. They brought their best to him. They sought Jesus and didn’t stop until they found him. They worshiped him. That is the heart of the magi story. And…that should be the heart of our Christmas story as well.

The sovereign God used Augustus to move His chosen couple from Nazareth to Bethlehem. As the Proverb says, “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him” (Proverbs 21:1).