HEROD'S PALACE

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,

HEROD'S PALACE

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.... After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was" (Matthew 2:1, 9 NIV).

The Lord revealed to some wise men from the East (or simply, the Magi) through a special star that a King was born. They decided to come and pay homage to the King. The star led them to Israel. Because there was a famous king in land that time, King Herod the Great, the Magi thought that the best and right place for the birth of the newly born King must be in the palace of Herod in Jerusalem, so they abandoned the guidance of the star and went to the palace to inquire of the newly born King. However, they were surprised to discover that even King Herod and all his wise men were not aware of the birth of the new King. They only knew from prophecy that such King would be born in a remote town called Bethlehem. Herod then told the Magi to go and find out in Bethlehem about the newly born King. Interestingly, when the Magi came out of Herod's palace, the abandon star led them to the right place.

Similarly, God has given a specific vision to some people, but they have, on many occasions, abandoned God's guidance and relied on human wisdom to pursue the vision. Many have even abandoned God and relied on themselves or other people to accomplish their God-given vision. Until such people come back to God and follow His guidance, they will not reach their God-assigned destination. According to the Bible, "This is what the Lord says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit'" (Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV).

Where is your "Herod's palace"? Where are you seeking help outside of God's will and purpose for your life? Come back to God and allow Him to lead you to your divine destination. As the Magi rejoiced and worshipped Jesus, you also will rejoice and worship God soon in Jesus' name. Amen.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (2013) in advance!

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).