King Jesus

December 23

(Psalm 145:1-7 NIV) “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. {2} Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. {3} Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. {4} One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. {5} They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. {6} They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. {7} They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

(Matthew 2:1-6 NIV) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} 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." {3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. {4} When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. {5} "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: {6} "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.””

Think of the differences between King David and King Herod. King David declared that God was his King. He vowed to praise the Lord every day and forever. David wanted coming generations to know his King. He wanted them to sing of his King’s great splendor, majesty, righteousness, power, and goodness. He wanted them to know and proclaim the awesome deeds of his King. Herod, on the other hand, was disturbed to hear that a King had been born in Bethlehem. He was not joyful, but fearful. He did not meditate on this King -- he tried to murder Him. Herod did not celebrate -- he plotted. He didn’t want the next generation to know this King. He decreed that all children under age two in Bethlehem should be killed. Herod would not bow to this King, he would eliminate Him. Which king are you: David or Herod? Will you worship this King, or try to eliminate Him from your life? Make a decision! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day