TUESDAY December 31, 2019
Refusing Comfort
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:17-18
Herod, the King of Judea, was greatly troubled when he heard the news of a new King born in the region he ruled. His reign would not be shared with another! Secretly, he inquired of the wise men as to the time the star appeared. Then Herod asked the Magi to bring back word to him when they found the Child. Why? Supposedly, he wanted to worship the Child, but he blatantly lied about his motives (Matthew 2:3-8).
Herod had murder in his heart, and worship was a cover for the truth. All he wanted to do was destroy the young Child. God warned the wise men in a dream not to return to Herod, so they returned to their own country another way (Matthew 2:12). Joseph was also warned in a dream to flee. He was to take Jesus and His mother Mary to Egypt (Luke 2:13-15).
As the wise men did not return, Herod, in fury and anger, devised an evil plan to insure the destruction of the young Messiah. He would exterminate the One––named King of the Jews. He had determined the possible age of the Child from the wise men. So Herod ordered the merciless slaughter of all the male children, aged two years old and under, in Bethlehem and its surrounding districts (Matthew 2:16).
The Bible tells us that man’s heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). We live in a world opposed to Christ. Even today, innocent people suffer horrible atrocities. They suffer persecution because of their love and worship of Christ. Only God can comfort them in their grief. He is the God of all comfort.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us….”
~2 Corinthians 1:3-4~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!