Things That Did Not Profit
There is that saying that is used year around — and especially at Christmas time — “Wise Men Still Follow Him”. It is in reference to the magi, also called the wise men, who traveled for two years following a star (because they were astrologers), in order to find and worship the Messiah King. The whole story is told in chapter 2 of Matthew.
The point is that even though they were from a foreign country (possibly Babylon or somewhere in the Persian Empire), they had the common sense to recognize a truth and the wherewithal to endure hardship because of that truth. When the Israelites were exiles in their area many years before, God’s word was listened to and absorbed by their captors. In God’s word was Balaam’s prophecy of a King in Numbers 24:27, saying,
A star shall come forth from Jacob,
And a scepter shall rise from Israel…
This prophecy was noted by the wise men, and when they saw a special star in the sky, they decided to follow it and find the prophesied King. As the account goes in chapter 2 of Matthew, they finally found the King, Baby Jesus, and worshiped Him, presenting Him with the finest of their gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, they had the common sense to listen to a warning from God in a dream, and returned to their home by a different route because King Herod would have killed them for not reporting the whereabouts of the Baby King.
Their faith in God’s prophesied word gave them the strength to endure hardships and dangers. Their obedience by faith was honored by the Lord, as they were kept safe for their journey. When they saw Joseph, Mary and Jesus, the humbleness of this poor King’s family did not shake their faith about Jesus’ true Kingship. That shows that they trusted God’s ways far above what most people would tend to think. Their trust was truly wise.
In contrast to the faith and wisdom of these foreign astrologers, is how Israel was during the time of Jeremiah, around 600 B.C. Israel was so degenerate at that time that the LORD prophesied to Israel through Jeremiah in Jeremiah 2:4, 8, and 11, saying,
What injustice did your fathers find in Me,
That they went far from Me
And walked after emptiness and became empty?…….
And walked after things that did not profit…….
Has a nation changed gods,
When they were not gods?
But My people have changed their glory
For that which does not profit.
And so it is today. People all around the world celebrate “Christmas” with Santa, elves, reindeer, presents, feasts, and music of all sorts. With all this empty celebrating they have exchanged the glory of God in Christ Jesus for things that do not profit them. They are so unwise that they refuse to accept the truth about the birth of Christ. There is a better way to celebrate the Truth.
The truth is that we are all sinners, doomed to die eternally. But, God’s love for us is so great beyond words, that He sent Jesus to be born in poverty, suffer, die, and be resurrected as a full payment for all of our sins. This Jesus reigns eternally as King of kings, LORD of lords, and God of gods. Wise men will not only see this, but will accept Jesus as King in their hearts. With Jesus as a true King in their hearts, they will obey His ways, because they realize it will be to their eternal glory, peace, and joy. That will be incalculable profit for all eternity.
Wisely following our Lord and King, we say, “Hallelujah! My Lord, there is no other king as wonderful as You and so filled with love, forgiveness, and faithfulness for Your people.”
Love,
Margaret
A devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and King of kings…
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