For some reason, out of all the Bible portions, I’ve enjoyed Matthew chapter two a lot. Here are some quick lessons I learned from the wise men. I believe this season would be a great time to share it with you.
1. Never give up
Imagine if the wise men had gotten tired waiting for that bright star and had decided to quit that night and go to bed. They would have easily missed the star that would eventually lead them to Jesus. Is it not also interesting that majority of those who got healed during the time of Jesus on earth, were healed because of their persistent spirit? What have you given up lately that you should not be quitting?
2. Decide to step out
What a waste it would have been if they would have given up after seeing the star! Sometimes stepping out by faith is doubtful, scary and lonely but if your eyes are on Jesus, it will most certainly be worthwhile. As we step out into a new year, are there areas that you have to step out of fear and into by faith?
3. Don’t partner with the visionless
They might have been called wise men but they sure made some costly mistakes. If I could I would ask them this, “If it is you who saw the star, why ask the ones who haven’t seen what you have?” If the vision is yours, don’t even try asking someone who does not share the vision for their suggestions, advice, opinion or any kinds of thoughts. They are likely to endanger your vision.
4. Super Focus
These wise men were focused but they needed more than just that. They needed to be super-focused. Especially when the enemy is after you to distract you from your big goal. They lost their focus to the more obvious reality, the palace. Surely the King must be living here, right? Well, think again! You have a star to focus on. You are not called to do the obvious. Let’s keep going!
5. Guard your secret place
King Herod called them up secretly and whispered lies into their ears. Weren’t these wise men called and guided by God? And now here they are sharing their heart and ears to the natural. Guard what you listen to, where you listen from and whom you share your time with. Give God all our heart, time and energy. Whom are you listening from today? And whose report do you believe?
6. Trust God over your intellect
If you are going to trust God, here’s a piece of advice, your thoughts are not His thoughts and your ways are not His ways. The only way you are going to follow God’s plan is when you get out of that palace; that place where your intellect rules. The Bible says when they resumed the journey, they saw the star. God’s guiding star was hidden by the palace of intellectual thinking. Sometimes it is tempting to trust our logic but let’s obey His words over our mind.
7. Revelation leads to Worship
No, it’s not the fast-paced songs or the slow good lyrical songs that help you worship. It’s your personal revelation of who God is that leads you to a place of reverent worship where you do not feel the need of a worship leader or music to get you there. The wise men knew who Jesus was and therefore required no high adrenaline music, no introduction, no motivation. Absolutely nothing but the revelation of God brought them to their knees in worship.
8. Worshipped Him for who He was
When many worship Jesus for healing, for deliverance, for saving their souls, the wise men worshipped Jesus for who He was. They did not see Him heal the blind, raise the dead or walk on the waters but they worshipped Him. Your life will truly change when you begin to worship God for who He is and not for what He can bless you with.
9. They gave the best
The wise men did not offer Him a gift for the sake of giving something. They did not settle at giving Him some super absorbent diapers (not that diapers existed then. Oh come on! It’s simply an example) but they bought riches with them. They gave him the best that was available back then. In giving today to God or to someone in need, can we give our best possible gift? It may or may not please man, but let’s give in a way that makes heaven proud.
10. Now for my tenth point
Well, I decided not to make up a point to just complete my 10 point list on the wise men. So I’ll let you do it.
What should be the tenth point?
What have you learned from the wise men that you can add to this list?
Wishing you the blessings of this season. I can’t wait to jump in to the next season, next year with you.
Thank you for joining me on my blogging journey. I “hope” to keep my next year’s posts shorter.
Have fun!