Turn to the LORD, as you pray aloud the words of this Lazaroo:

“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious…”
(Matthew 2:16)

Is that the appropriate response to being outwitted, Jesus –

fury?

Tempting, yes…

but nonproductive.

Certainly, Herod’s response –

to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem –
is ugly, unconscionable proof of that.

Not only did he miss eliminating You in Your infancy

but he goes down in history
as one of the worst butchers of all time.

There’s a better way, isn’t there, Father?

Please show me!

When I’m outwitted by a legitimate competitor
or a sworn enemy

I’ve got to stay cool, don’t I?
immediately turn to You.

I’ve got to be willing to look at the facts – no matter how brutal.

I’ve got to care more about learning what I don’t know
than justifying what I did.

Because I really, really, really want to be ready…

for next time.

_________
Genesis 3:13; Genesis 27:36; Genesis 29:25; Numbers 25:16-18; Job 12:16; Jeremiah 20:10-12; Matthew 2:16-18; Luke 21:8-19; Romans 7:10-13

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.