The Ripple Effect

Nº 176 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - December 14, 2021

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world. - C.S. Lewis

Matthew’s Christmas story tells of Magi who traveled from the East in search of the Baby-King Jesus. “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1b-2) How did these wise men know to look for the coming Messiah? The answer remains a mystery. But 400 years earlier, Daniel and the other Babylonian exiles may have left some clues. Even though he was a captive in a foreign land Daniel’s life was exemplary and his wisdom extraordinary. By God’s grace, Daniel was placed in charge of all the wise men who advised the king and managed the Babylonian Empire. Daniel faithfully worked in Babylon, but he fervently prayed toward Jerusalem. He purposefully supported his political superiors, but he passionately served his God. Like Daniel, we may face frustrating defeats and disappointments. He longed to return to his homeland, but God had bigger plans. Daniel’s godly life was needed in Babylon to set in motion a caravan of curious Gentile worshippers who, 400 years later, arrived in Bethlehem and worshipped the Baby-King of ALL the world.

Dan Bolin President Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc