Day 2 - Ash Wednesday
Day 2 - Ash Wednesday
March 2nd, 2022
Written By: Joy Hardin
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 1:18-23, NLT
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
DEVOTION
The story Matthew presents of Jesus’ birth gives us a clear account of the events as they happened, as well as a behind the scenes look at how God was working to bring it all together. Matthew shows us how God guided Joseph, Wise Men, and even Old Testament prophets to protect, provide for, and to prove that Jesus truly was His Son. If played out on a movie screen, we’d see an action adventure film with the main characters dashing around Palestine, a middle of the night flight into Egypt, and a re-directed return to the land of Israel; while the minor characters rush in with great treasures from the east and tiptoe quietly back to their homelands. (Read Matthew chapter 2.)
Throughout these first two chapters Matthew cites five Old Testament prophecies that Jesus’ birth fulfilled, proving irrefutably that He is the Son of God and promised Messiah. God wanted the world to know without any doubt that this was His Son and our Savior. The purpose in the given genealogy is to show that, through Joseph’s line, Jesus had the right to the throne of David. As this list of Jesus’ ancestors comes to a close, it states that “Joseph [was] the husband of Mary” (Mt. 1:16), clearly letting us know that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. God the Father is indisputably claiming Jesus as His own Son.
Most of us have the privilege of waiting for the birth of our children for nine months. We wait with excitement. We look at lists of baby names and choose one with a special meaning. We tell our family and friends, have baby showers, and gender reveal celebrations. Finally, our little one arrives and we are ecstatic with love and joy, so we send out birth announcements.
Imagine if you had to wait four thousand years. That’s what God did. As he waited, God spoke through his prophets and told everyone that his Son would be arriving, and he included many details, which only Jesus fulfilled. Along the way God had his own gender reveal: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son,” and as the Father he picked out a name with a special meaning: “Name Him Immanuel, which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Mt. 1:23, NASB). Finally, God sent out birth announcements “We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Mt. 2:2, NASB). (See also Luke 2:8-14.)
Throughout the first two chapters of Matthew, we see God’s protection and provision for his Son. God gave Jesus a righteous earthly father, who was attentive to God’s direction and thus protected the Baby from Herod and later Herod’s son. Repeatedly we see that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in dreams (Mt. 1:20, 2:13, 2:19, and 2:22). Every time God told Joseph to do something, he obeyed without hesitation.
God also sent the wise men who not only worshiped Jesus; they gave him gifts, which would provide this poor family with the funds to travel to Egypt for safety.
God’s provision is also for us. “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (NASB) Not just anyone could die for our sins. It had to be God’s sinless Son.
Just as Matthew revealed the provision and protection God supplied for his Son, we can take comfort in knowing that He is always there protecting and providing for us.
ACTION STEP
Each time God directed Joseph, he acted immediately. Joseph was attentive to the Lord and ready and willing to obey. How attentive are you to God? Read through Matthew chapters 1 and 2. Note how many times God revealed His plan to those who were willing to follow it. What are you asking the Lord for right now? Do you need his protection or provision? Are you willing to obey as Joseph did no matter what God asks you to do? Take a few minutes and write out all you want God to do in your life over the next few weeks, and be sure to put this where you can look back and see all that God has done.
PRAYER TIME
Father, as you have protected and provided for your Son, I know you will do the same for me. Help me to trust you more. Even though I don’t see you, I know you are always working for my good. (Read John 5:17 and Romans 8:28.)
Written By: Joy Hardin
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 1:18-23, NLT
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
DEVOTION
The story Matthew presents of Jesus’ birth gives us a clear account of the events as they happened, as well as a behind the scenes look at how God was working to bring it all together. Matthew shows us how God guided Joseph, Wise Men, and even Old Testament prophets to protect, provide for, and to prove that Jesus truly was His Son. If played out on a movie screen, we’d see an action adventure film with the main characters dashing around Palestine, a middle of the night flight into Egypt, and a re-directed return to the land of Israel; while the minor characters rush in with great treasures from the east and tiptoe quietly back to their homelands. (Read Matthew chapter 2.)
Throughout these first two chapters Matthew cites five Old Testament prophecies that Jesus’ birth fulfilled, proving irrefutably that He is the Son of God and promised Messiah. God wanted the world to know without any doubt that this was His Son and our Savior. The purpose in the given genealogy is to show that, through Joseph’s line, Jesus had the right to the throne of David. As this list of Jesus’ ancestors comes to a close, it states that “Joseph [was] the husband of Mary” (Mt. 1:16), clearly letting us know that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. God the Father is indisputably claiming Jesus as His own Son.
Most of us have the privilege of waiting for the birth of our children for nine months. We wait with excitement. We look at lists of baby names and choose one with a special meaning. We tell our family and friends, have baby showers, and gender reveal celebrations. Finally, our little one arrives and we are ecstatic with love and joy, so we send out birth announcements.
Imagine if you had to wait four thousand years. That’s what God did. As he waited, God spoke through his prophets and told everyone that his Son would be arriving, and he included many details, which only Jesus fulfilled. Along the way God had his own gender reveal: “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son,” and as the Father he picked out a name with a special meaning: “Name Him Immanuel, which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Mt. 1:23, NASB). Finally, God sent out birth announcements “We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Mt. 2:2, NASB). (See also Luke 2:8-14.)
Throughout the first two chapters of Matthew, we see God’s protection and provision for his Son. God gave Jesus a righteous earthly father, who was attentive to God’s direction and thus protected the Baby from Herod and later Herod’s son. Repeatedly we see that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in dreams (Mt. 1:20, 2:13, 2:19, and 2:22). Every time God told Joseph to do something, he obeyed without hesitation.
God also sent the wise men who not only worshiped Jesus; they gave him gifts, which would provide this poor family with the funds to travel to Egypt for safety.
God’s provision is also for us. “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (NASB) Not just anyone could die for our sins. It had to be God’s sinless Son.
Just as Matthew revealed the provision and protection God supplied for his Son, we can take comfort in knowing that He is always there protecting and providing for us.
ACTION STEP
Each time God directed Joseph, he acted immediately. Joseph was attentive to the Lord and ready and willing to obey. How attentive are you to God? Read through Matthew chapters 1 and 2. Note how many times God revealed His plan to those who were willing to follow it. What are you asking the Lord for right now? Do you need his protection or provision? Are you willing to obey as Joseph did no matter what God asks you to do? Take a few minutes and write out all you want God to do in your life over the next few weeks, and be sure to put this where you can look back and see all that God has done.
PRAYER TIME
Father, as you have protected and provided for your Son, I know you will do the same for me. Help me to trust you more. Even though I don’t see you, I know you are always working for my good. (Read John 5:17 and Romans 8:28.)
Posted in Ashes to Easter Devotions
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January
January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus