Dear Ladies,

            Just this morning as Elvira Nickel, Penny Carda and I gathered for prayer for our congregation and their needs, we prayed through Psalm 25.  Verses 4 and 5 stood out to me.

            “Show me Your ways, O Lord.

            Teach me Your paths.

            Lead me in Your truth and teach me.

            For You are the God of my salvation

            On You I wait all the day.”

     I needed that so desperately today.  I had the assignment and opportunity to speak at two Health Care Centers in the afternoon, but I had no clear direction from the Lord.  I didn’t sense the clear leading of the Holy Spirit in what I should share.  I had sought out several resources the night before, but nothing came with the conviction that “This is it!”  Do you ever share that feeling?

            I prayed along with the ladies on the “show me”, “teach me” and  “lead me” of the passage.   I needed to hear from the Lord.

             Then as I waited on the Lord, He did just that –showed me, taught me, led me.  It came in Matthew 2:1-12 – “the message of the star.”   Can you imagine with me what transpired in the lives of the wise men before they left Babylon for Jerusalem ?

They searched the ancient writings of Daniel and other prophets to know the meaning of that special, brilliant star in the heavens.  (Daniel 7:13-14;  Number 24:17; Jeremiah 23:5-6).  As they searched they were convinced that it spoke of the birth of a new born King of the Jew s?  They weren’t Jews, so why be concerned?  They were convinced that this King was worthy of glory and worship.

            The driving desire to worship God and know Him better, led to extensive preparations of food, water, tents, cooks, cool clothing for the day and blankets for the cold nights, guards, transportation and acceptable gifts for a King.  It would mean long days, weeks, months and even years of travel.

What kept them going even through the weariness of travel?  It was the presence and guidance of the star – God’s presence.  That speaks to me of the words of Ps. 25:5. “Lead me in Your truth.”   I can’t imagine that they didn’t face dangers, privations, difficulties, discouragements and disagreements along the way.  The assurance of God’s presence and guidance led them on.

            Then, imagine their surprise and disappointment that no one in Jerusalem knew of this new born King or wanted to join in worship of Him.  The strange interrogation of King Herod himself must have caused anxiety.  What gave new courage to search on?  The presence of the star – God’s guidance.

Once reaching Bethlehem and seeing that directive shaft of light on the very house where the infant King of the Jew resided must have energized their faith anew.  But it never equaled the joy of worshipping God Himself in human form!  The presentation of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were incidental to realizing the very presence of God Himself.

            Today as I shared these truths with the people, I, too, sensed the presence of God Himself and was assured of the truth that He shows, He teaches, He leads.

            Ladies, I pray that during this Christmas season we each may experience the divine guidance of the Lord  in the message of the Star – His very enlightening presence. It comes as a fulfillment of Psalm 25:5b  -“On You I wait all the day.”

            Have a blessed Christmas!

                        June Wiebe