The Search for Direction - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Watch Part 11here: (the final message of the series)
The Search for Direction
Part 11
Finding Direction by Fervent Diligence
Matt. 2:1-12 vs. 8 Go, and search diligently for the young child…
We have looked at a variety of people in the Bible that received clear direction from God when they desperately needed to know His will.
We’ve looked at:
Noah – Finding Direction by Finding Grace
Joseph – Finding Direction by Following Detours
Israel – Finding Direction when Facing Defeat
Eliezer – Finding Direction by Following Directions
David – Finding Direction by Fighting Discouragement
Throughout this series, I have notice something about Finding Direction.
Sometimes, God works in different ways with different people.
Not all these processes are the same.
· Noah got direction one time and had to operate with those directions for 120 years.
· Joseph got direction in a dream and had to wait years and years for it to come to pass.
· The children of Israel got direction when facing the Red Sea by literally doing nothing but waiting.
· Eliezer found direction immediately after praying for it.
· David found direction by having the wisdom to encourage himself in the Lord.
Our text for this series was Psalm 3: 5, 6
· Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
· In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
These wise men in Matthew 2 did just that,
They could not rely on their own understanding.
They could not find another person the planet to help direct them.
They had to rely solely on God to direct them, AND HE DID!!
God miraculously directed their path.
Today, we will look at these group of men that traveled hundreds of miles and was led every step of the way because of something down deep on the inside of them that prompted them to search with a fervent diligence for someone they knew very little about.
I. The DISCERNMENT that was RARE in the INTERPRETATION of the Star
That star wasn’t the only star in the sky.
It was surrounded by millions of other stars.
The sky was full of stars.
They were studying the stars – plural. Looking for answers.
We don’t know what all it involved, but there was something different about this star.
It might have been bigger, it might have been brighter.
It might have just been in a place where it didn’t fit or hadn’t ever been before.
Not sure what, but this star was different.
It was different enough that it caught their attention and held their attention.
It is unusual, it is distinct, it is special, and it may be almost impossible to describe why.
But you know without a doubt that it is something very unique and God makes it clear somehow.
It wasn’t special to anybody else. In fact, nobody else even seemed to notice it.
But to them, it was something they had never seen before, and it was amazing to them!
Application: The world today is full of advice and direction-givers.
There are millions of people pointing the way to their ideas, their philosophies, their teachings.
There is not a lack of people giving directions; there is a lack of people that know which way is right.
The fact that it was different meant something
They had to research and study to discover the true significance of the star.
It wasn’t necessarily common knowledge.
It required an unusual hunger and desire for truth.
II. The DILIGENCE that was REVEALED in the INVESTIGATION of the Star
Their trip was a monumental task in those days.
If they came from Babylon (near modern Baghdad), the journey to Bethlehem would have been about 800–900 miles.
If they came from Persia (further east, near modern Iran), it could have been closer to 1,000–1,200 miles.
Travel in that time was slow — likely by caravan with camels.
Such a trip could have taken several months.
A. The Hunger for Truth that was Involved
They summarized their trip up with just a few words in vs. 2 …we have seen…and are come…
Just think about this statement for a minute. “…we have seen…”
As Recipients of Divine Grace, it demanded a Response to Divine Guidance.
· Their confrontation with the star resulted in a confirmation of the significance.
· Their seeing resulted in a searching.
· Their finding of the light caused a following of the light.
· Their awareness produced an ambition.
· Their encounter with the light generated an eagerness for more light.
Every day, they awoke with one thing in mind – follow that star!
Where is it? Where is it going? Pack up everything and follow that speck of light.
They were not looking for another star.
They were not interested in what other stars might be in the galaxy.
They were intrigued by HIS star.
· They were not discouraged by the miles of hot sand.
· They were not distracted by the mountain ranges that were obstacles in their path.
· They were not deterred by the rivers and canyons they had to cross.
· They were not dissuaded by the hot sun or the cold desert nights.
· They had one thing in mind – “we have seen…and are come.”
Their day was one of expectation.
The EXPOSURE to truth had produced an EXPECTATION for MORE truth.
They weren’t preoccupied with taking care of their camels, or finding food, or setting up tents.
Their day was one that was motivated by the thought of getting a little closer to their goal.
How many times a day do you think they looked up to see where that star was?
Every day was one of complete submission to the direction that star was leading them.
Every move they made was made only after consulting the little ray of light God was giving them.
NOTE: God is a SEEKER SENSITIVE GOD!!
He is the rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM!! (Heb. 11:6)
I am convinced that God is impressed with those that desire to know Him.
Illustration #1: The Ethiopian eunuch – God sent him a preacher.
Illustration #2: Cornelius – God sent him a preacher.
· Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Today, we are surrounded by those that “…turn away their ear from the truth…”
· 2 Timothy 4:4 “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Today, people that know God are not thankful. They glorify him not as God.
As a result, God turns the light off.
· Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
B. The Hardship and Treasure that was Invested
There is no telling what this expedition cost these wise men.
The transportation, the supplies, the hired help, and the treasures they brought – all cost them dearly.
People on a quest for truth aren’t discouraged by the price tag that is attached to it!!
It didn’t matter what it cost – they were obsessed with finding the truth.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
People that won’t give are people that are not hungry.
People that have a cause will not have a problem with the cost.
People with fervent beliefs will not hesitate at the financial burden.
It is impossible to imagine what all transpired from the time they left until the day they arrived.
No doubt they encountered many dangers, toils and snares.
But nothing they experienced was powerful enough to turn them around and send them back home.
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
III. The DELIGHT that was REWARDED in the ILLUMINATION of the Star
· 9 “…the star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was…”
Their fervent dilience that was sparked by the sight of the star was rewarded by the sight of the Son.
It never was about the star; it was about where the star was leading them.
The object of their search was right there.
God’s leading is very specific and always brings you to the exact place He wants you to be.
Their fervent desire for God’s will brought them to the fulfillment of His direction.
· vs. 9, 10 they rejoiced with exceeding great joy
Finding the will of God after following His leadership is an exciting and joyous life.
They had gone to great expense and endured many hardships, but it was worth it.
They finally had the opportunity to set they eyes on the very Son of God.
Finding the Lord prompted them to worship.
Finding the Lord prompted them to give.
· vs. 12 being warned of God…they departed…another way
Even after their initial objective was realized, God was still helping them find direction.
I believe that once you make finding God’s direction a priority, He keeps leading.
We never get to the place where we don’t need His leadership.