Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 2, 2022: SOAP #4413:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.  41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.

OBSERVATION:   After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the visit to the temple, the escape into Egypt and return, Joseph and Mary settled into the routine of daily life.  They had done all they could do, and everything required of the Law, and now was the time of just living.  It was family life with a small child, and with the brothers and sisters that were born into the family.   It was time needed for Jesus to grow and develop. When He was 12, the family went to the temple in Jerusalem where Jesus, when it was time to leave for home, stayed behind to talk with the teachers in the temple.  When they located Him, He returned home with them and remained at home until He began His ministry at age 30. 

It was God who set the times of days and years.  It was our Creator who established the patterns and times for growth and maturity.  Jesus was just as much doing the will of His Father at home with Mary and Joseph as He was during His three years of ministry leading up to His death and resurrection!  

APPLICATION:  I have had several times of waiting for God to give the next move.  But if I am where God has sent me, I must remain until He directs.  I must not run, change course, or develop my own plan.  Life offers many open doors, but it is not an open door for which I am looking; I am looking for Him.  I do not want God to point to an open door and send me off to enter it; I want to follow Him through the open door!  Beyond the open door is a challenge bigger than me—but not bigger than Him!!! 

PRAYER:  Lord, your timing is amazing.  Thank you for helping me not to get discouraged in the “slow” times but to learn to appreciate your Presence.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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