Word Made Flesh
669
he said, Now I know of a surety,”—it was not a dream or a vision, but
an actual occurrence,—“that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath
delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of
the people of the Jews.”
[749]
Skeptics may sneer at the thought that a glorious angel from heaven
should give attention to a matter so commonplace as caring for these
simple human needs, and may question the inspiration of the narrative.
But in the wisdom of God these things are recorded in sacred history
for the benefit, not of angels, but of men, that as they should be brought
into trying positions they might find comfort in the thought that heaven
knows it all. Jesus declared to His disciples that not a sparrow falls
to the ground without the notice of the heavenly Father, and that if
God can keep in mind the wants of all the little birds of the air, He
will much more care for those who may become the subjects of His
kingdom and through faith in Him may be the heirs of immortality.
Oh, if the human mind were only to comprehend—in such measure
as the plan of redemption can be comprehended by finite minds—the
work of Jesus in taking upon Himself human nature, and what is to
be accomplished for us by this marvelous condescension, the hearts
of men would be melted with gratitude for God’s great love, and in
humility they would adore the divine wisdom that devised the mystery
of grace!
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