When Heaven Came Down - December 18 Devotion

The Magi Outsmart the Tyrant

? Matthew 2:12 (CSB)
“And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.”

? Devotional Thought:
The wise men had come to worship—but now they had to make a decision.
Would they obey Herod—or obey God?
God warned them in a dream: “Don’t go back. Take a different road.”
So they did.
They didn’t argue. They didn’t stall.
They just obeyed—quietly and courageously.
They may have been outsiders from the East, but they understood something important:
The true King deserves our full obedience.
Sometimes following Jesus means going a different direction than the world expects.

? Talk About It:
Why did God tell the Magi not to return to Herod?
How does it take courage to obey God sometimes?
Is there a “different road” God is calling you to take right now?

? Tradition Tie-In: Alternate Route Walk
Take a walk or drive a different route than usual tonight. As you go, talk about how obeying God may lead us away from what feels expected or safe—but it always leads us toward life.

? Closing Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for guiding us, even when the path is unfamiliar.
Help us be like the wise men—quick to listen, eager to obey.
Give us courage to follow Your direction over the world’s approval.
Amen.