I have a word from the Lord this morning for each of us. Stay on your camel!

Let me explain.

In life, family, faith, and your pursuit of God’s plan for your life, don’t give up.

The principles of this thought came from the story of the wise men, or Magi, found in Matthew 2. We are all familiar with this piece of the Nativity story. These men are the gentile inclusion in the story of Christ’s birth.

Our picture of them has been cemented through their portrayal in Christmas programs over the years. For some reason, it’s always three men dressed in bright and royal robes making their pompous entrance to present Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But what we often miss in their portion of the story is that they were not present at the birth of Christ itself. They would have come many months—even up to a couple of years—after His birth. Their delay is mostly due to the trip they made and the obstacles they encountered in their pursuit of seeing and worshiping Jesus.

Their journey was long (up to 900 miles); we can only imagine the logistics and trouble they endured on such a trip that are not recorded in Scripture for us.

What is recorded for us in Scripture are the unique twists and turns they encountered when they got close to seeing Jesus. The “star” led them to Jerusalem, but not to Jesus. They asked King Herod for further directions. He did not know where to send them, so he pulled together an Old Testament Bible conference led by the High Priest and scholars (Matt. 2:4) to show him, from prophecy, where Jesus would be born. When he was told it would be in Bethlehem, he reconvened with the Magi and revealed to them the place of Jesus’ birth. His advice to them was to “go and search diligently.”

Their search for Jesus was daunting and filled with delays. But they stayed on their camels, never gave up, and were rewarded greatly!

The wise men’s search for Jesus was daunting and filled with delays. But they stayed on their camels, never gave up, and were rewarded greatly!

The Reward for Not Quitting

Eventually, the star led them to the house where Jesus, Joseph, and Mary were living. We see the joy and fulfillment of their search in Matthew 2:11.

“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

What a reward for not quitting! After months and months of searching, waiting, asking, and traveling in harsh weather, they finally kneel at the feet of the greatest person ever to be born on earth.

This morning, be reminded that you and I wake up every day following the star of God’s grace and Spirit to know and experience Jesus in our lives and families. There are a thousand obstacles in our way and an enemy who, like Herod, cynically tries to subvert our work or hinder our progress.

Keep traveling. Keep going. Don’t get sidetracked from the great privilege of knowing, worshiping, and serving Jesus.

Keep traveling. Keep going. Don’t get sidetracked from the great privilege of knowing, worshiping, and serving Jesus.

The enemy is out to destroy and distract you and me in our walk with the Lord, in our commitment to our families, and in our pursuit of God’s will and purpose in our lives. But there is a glorious reward that awaits us—both in this life and in eternity—if we remain faithful in the simple, ordinary pursuit of Jesus.

There is a glorious reward that awaits us—both in this life and in eternity—if we remain faithful in the simple, ordinary pursuit of Jesus.

Are there obstacles? Of course! And they are abundant for as long as we walk this earth. But the presence of obstacles does not indicate the absence of God’s purpose; they are merely the refining acts of God to prepare us for the glorious achievement of doing His will.

The presence of obstacles does not indicate the absence of God’s purpose; they are merely the refining acts of God to prepare us for the glorious achievement of doing His will.

So, don’t get off your camel too soon! Keep traveling, keep searching, keep obeying, keep worshiping—and watch God fulfill His plans in your life!

Copyright © 2024 Troy Keaton. All rights reserved.

Pastor Troy is the founding pastor at East Lake Community Church at Smith Mountain Lake Virginia. East Lake is a growing, dynamic, generous church with a God-size vision to Multiply Believers, Leaders, and Churches. Troy is passionate about prayer, the Word of God, and seeing the church experience renewal. Troy and his wife Janel are blessed with 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Pastor Troy’s greatest blessing is loving his wife through her difficult journey with cancer.

[This excerpt was taken from Troy Keaton’s blog. For more of Pastor Keaton’s equipping blogs click HERE.]