Joy in Anticipation
Are you eager to be joyful at every step in the journey?
Verse of the Day
‘When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!’
Today’s Devotional
Let’s set the stage a bit for today’s story from Matthew 2.
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
If you are familiar with any Christmas nativity scene, the “Magi” mentioned here are what we usually call the Wise Men. And if I take a step back from the familiar aspects of this story, I have quite a few questions. Why do we tend to assume there are three of them? Where in the east are they from? When they saw a star rise, how did they know it was a star to represent the king of the Jews? If they are from some other country, why do they want to worship the king whose star they saw?
Since the Bible is silent on the answers to these questions, I can assume that I am not meant to have the answers. If we continue in the book of Matthew, we see that King Herod was not pleased to discover the news of any new king. So he sends these Magi in search of this new king of the Jews and they are told to report back to King Herod.
“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:9-11)
As I was reading this story, and asking God to show me something new, I noticed something. The Magi rejoiced when the star stopped over the place where Jesus was. They had not yet seen Jesus. They had no confirmation that their star-guide was leading them to the right place. All they saw was another step in their journey. And yet they rejoiced.
What a beautiful example. To rejoice at each step along the way. To rejoice in anticipation of what has yet to actually be seen. To rejoice over simple progress.
How many times have I reserved my rejoicing until I see the outcome that I desire?
There is a profound lesson in this example. We have many more opportunities to rejoice than at the “end” of any journey or situation. If we see any tiny movement of God, any tiny progress, any shred of willingness, this is an opportunity for joy.
Today, let’s each think about some person or situation that we have been praying over for a long time. Then let’s invite the Holy Spirit to show us any steps of progress that we might have missed along the way. Let’s also keep in mind that God’s definition of progress might look different than ours. Our next step is to rejoice.
Father, we rejoice over every step of this journey. We choose joy as we trust in your timing. We rejoice over your sovereignty in this situation or relationship that feels very tender to us. We invite you to show us every single opportunity for joy. We ask for your power to actually rejoice with you over every tiny bit of progress or movement, even if it’s not what we would choose. We thank you for the example of the Magi in the Bible who rejoiced in their journey before they ever laid eyes on Jesus. Thank you for their example to us today.
‘When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!’ Father, fill us with your joy today as we anticipate everything you have in store for us.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
What is your person, situation, or relationship that you have been praying over for a long time?
Holy Spirit, please show me any steps of progress that I have missed along the way.
Write a prayer of rejoicing to God today for where you are in your journey with Him.
Ask God, in writing, for His help to be eager to rejoice in anticipation of His will.