25 Days of Advent: Forged for our Hope – Day 16

Joseph grabbed the little that he had and stuffed it into a simple, threadbare bedroll. He looked to Mary and urged her to layer Jesus with an extra muslin shirt to give his delicate skin warmth against the cool night air. Mary herself had wrapped an extra layer across her shoulders as she puttered about the room careful to remove any traces that a young child had been there.

With a soul that weighed heavy and pregnant with fear, Joseph watered the donkey and tied the bedroll to its back. The moon hung high and bright, sure to guide their way. They would flee from Bethlehem across the desert to the borders of Egypt, eager to escape the human hunting that was sure to follow on the heels of their steps.

In the book of Hosea, it was prophesied that Christ would be called out of Egypt by the Lord when His time came:

Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.

The Messiah had been spared from the massacre and carried to safety only to endure a most stressful season of life. A season of fear where they would need to await the death of the king who demanded the head of God’s Son- the child they were entrusted to raise. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is identified that this was done to fulfill the prophesy of Hosea:

Matthew 2:14-15, So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

We are forged for our hope when we can seek Christ’s peace when life forces our hand to endure a most difficult season. And it is often during the difficult seasons of life that our faith is greatly tested.

Will we stand upon the promises of God or succumb to despair and fear? Will we thrive or barely survive when everything we’ve got is on the line?

Mary and Joseph had to live each day on the promise that God had a greater plan. All they endured was out of their great love for the Lord and for His purposes. Their foundation was built upon a faith that was forged by obedience, patience, adoration, and submission.

Whether we face a season riddled with illness, conflict, deteriorating relationships, anxiety, depression, or financial burden, when we hold tightly to the truth that God is with us during each and every season of life, we may rest assured that His plans for our good will prevail when the stormy winds blow.

Father, as I weather difficult seasons of life that threaten to bring me down, may your spirit lift me up and keep me from harm. May I remember that I have been spared for your purposes and submitted unto your plans for my life. In Jesus name, amen.