Daily Devotion for Tuesday 11th June 2024

Reading  Matthew 2:13- 15

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”  Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.

Reflection

Since the military coup took place in Myanmar, fear and anguish has overwhelmed its people. Those who are there to protect the people have become persecutors; those who claim to be defenders have turned into murderers; and people feel unsafe and vulnerable. People feel as though they have no future, but have to schedule daily routines with uncertainty, having in mind that an unwanted fate is imminent. In this situation, being a Church leader is very challenging. 

I moved to my new pastorate in May 2023 at Khampat in Tamu District. Within seven months, our church members fled 3 times to other villages to seek refuge. During this time I also fled twice with my family. Finally, God graciously brought us back home just before Christmas 2023. As Christmas was drawing near, I read the narratives of the Nativity again and again, and realised that like us, the Holy Family once fled their homes with fear, when they fled to to Egypt. So I found that Jesus was also a refugee, just as the people of Myanmar are; but not only that – he is also Emmanuel, “God with us.”  

Jesus himself once fled and experienced life in fear of a brutal and violent ruler. Because of this, he knows how to comfort the displaced people and refugees of Myanmar. He is ‘our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ as the Psalmist proclaimed. 

Rome, or its rulers of the first Century, are not the agents of God that bring the welfare of the community or individuals, but Jesus alone. He is the one who saves his people from their sins and delivers from fear. The sovereignty of the world is not of the emperor or his subordinates but it is Jesus in whom all sovereignty is given. We Christians are very much blessed and privileged to have Jesus in all aspects of our lives. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving us perseverance and resilience;
Give us strength to witness to the Good News of Jesus in our daily life.
Lord, be with those who struggle for freedom,
And also with victims of the revolution in Myanmar.
Lord, keep the Church leaders in your arms,
And bestow them wisdom to guide and serve their members.
Lord, in your mercy,  Amen.