March 8

Today's reading: Matthew 2:1-23

The events in this chapter likely take place about two years after Jesus is born. After the visit of the magi, God tells Joseph to take his family to Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod. This fulfills the prophecy that we saw yesterday in Hosea 11:1:

When Israel was a child, I loved him, 
and out of Egypt I called my son.

That particular verse both looked back to God calling His people out of Egypt in the past and looked forward to calling His Son, Jesus, out of Egypt as well.

We are reminded here that nothing happens by accident. God is sovereign over the events of history and even when we don't see it, He is orchestrating everything to fulfill His purposes. That is true of each of our lives as well, even though we often don't see it at the time. Take some time today to thank God for carrying out HIs purposes in your life.