God’s Unstoppable Plan

Walking through those caves, I was struck by the realization that, no matter how hard the rock resisted, the lava didn’t stop until its course was complete.

It reminded me of God’s plans for our lives.

Even when obstacles seem immovable or the way forward feels dark, His sovereign power continues to work, shaping the path ahead.

Like the lava that created something enduring and beautiful, God’s plans will always prevail, leaving a lasting impact on our lives and the world around us.

No matter how much evil opposes, God’s sovereign plan for redemption cannot be thwarted.

Let’s take a journey through this passage to see how God’s sovereignty unfolds despite opposition and tragedy.

And in that journey we will be able to see how God works in our lives.

I. The Providence of God

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Evil tries to prevail over God’s plans, but God ultimately will win.

We see that Joseph was…

A. Directed by God’s Word

God sent the angel to Joseph at just the right moment, showing His perfect timing.

Joseph was obedient immediately fleeing to Egypt to protect Jesus.

Sometimes, God’s guidance comes as a nudge or sometimes clear instruction when we least expect it, but His timing is never late.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

What we do know is that Joseph was obedient to God’s plan.

His quick and unquestioning obedience shows his trust in God’s providence.

He didn’t wait to rationalize the situation; he trusted and acted.

Many times it can be a matter of grave importance to teach our kids to obey immediately without question.

Ask questions later, but obey first.

There may come a day when it is the difference between life and death.

Such was the case for Jesus’ life.

B. Delivered to Fulfill Prophecy

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

God knew this would happen centuries before this situation arose.

There is comfort in that, it there?

It is interesting to see the Role of Egypt in God’s Plan here.

Once a place of bondage for Israel, now it becomes a place of refuge for the Savior and His family.

This irony highlights God’s ability to repurpose what was once a place of suffering into a place of safety.

The prophesy is found in Hosea 11.1

Hosea 11:1 KJV

1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, And called my son out of Egypt.

This showcases how God’s plan is foretold and fulfilled in the life of Christ

There are many times when we, like Joseph and Mary, need to trust God in unfamiliar places.

There is not doubt that Fleeing to Egypt likely came with challenges for Joseph and Mary.

There must have been language barriers, cultural differences, and most definitely uncertainty about their future.

But God provided and protected them.

They had been provided gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

They could use these to survive in this strange land.

When life takes us to unfamiliar or uncomfortable places, we can trust that God is still working for our good and His glory.

Notice they were not told why they needed to leave, they were just told to go, and where to go.

Like Joseph and Mary’s diversion to another land, we may not always understand all about the reason for God’s direction immediately.

But God’s purpose would soon be revealed in time.

While God’s providence shines brightly, it is often against the backdrop of darkness and opposition.

Joseph and Mary’s obedience ensured Jesus’ safety, but Herod’s actions reveal the start reality of evil in the world.

Let’s consider how this passage highlights the conflict between God’s sovereign plan and the presence of evil.

II. The Persecution of Evil

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

First we see…

A. The Wrath of Herod

Herod’s insecurity led to a horrific decree—the massacre of innocent children in Bethlehem.

This tragedy reveals the length to which the devil will go to oppose God’s plans.

It shows that the devil does not care about us or our children…in fact he hates us.

This was pure evil.

It is a heat-breaking when evil is in power.

Proverbs 29:2 KJV

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Herod’s actions brought mourning to the people.

The people that Herod was supposed to lead and protect, now find themselves grieving because of His decisions.

Satan wants to thwart God’s plans at any cost.

However, even this horrible suffering could not disrupt God’s plan of salvation.

When we face opposition or suffering, and we will, we must remember that evil may rage, but it will never win.

They can cause great damage, but they cannot destroy, unless we choose to let it.

B. The Weeping of Bethlehem

Do not forget, that this time was so impactful to God that he foretold about it many years before.

Jeremiah prophesied about this situation.

Jeremiah 31:15 KJV

15 Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children Refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Yet, Jeremiah’s prophesy also carries hope, as the same chapter speaks of restoration and joy.

Jeremiah 31:16–17 KJV

16 Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, And thine eyes from tears: For thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; And they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, That thy children shall come again to their own border.

The mourning in Bethlehem that day reflects the reality of a broken world, but it also points to the coming Savior, who would ultimately heal that brokenness.

Have you ever stood outside just after a fierce thunderstorm. The sky is still heavy with dark clouds, and the ground is soaked from the rain.

But then, in the distance, a beam of sunlight breaks through, illuminating the world around you.

The warmth of the light begins to dry the earth, and suddenly, the storm doesn’t seem so overwhelming anymore.

This moment reminds us that storms, while real and painful, are temporary.

The light of the sun, much like the light of God’s sovereignty, eventually breaks through.

In the same way, even in the darkness of Herod’s actions and the weeping of Bethlehem, God’s plan for salvation and redemption was shining through.

The storm of evil could not outlast the eternal light of God’s love.

eventually we will see…

C. The Triumph Over Evil

Earthly powers, although they have power, are limited.

Herod’s reign ended, but God’s plan endured.

Evil may appear powerful for a time, but its reach is always finite compared to God’s eternal sovereignty.

No matter how dark the moment may seem in your situation right now, rest assured that God’s victory is certain!

Jesus is the light in the darkness.

Jesus entered the world of suffering and sorrow to bring eternal hope and redemption.

And He is aware of your situations, and He cares!

Even as evil raged, God’s plan moved forward.

What Herod sought to destroy, God preserved.

Let’s now turn to the final section of this passage and see how God preserved His Son and His redemptive purpose.

III. The Preservation of the Savior

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

This miraculous event in the life of this dear family gives us a great challenge in ours.

They were preserved from harm…but why?

Because they obeyed…

We see first they were…

A. Guarded by Obedience

Because of Joseph’s faithful response, After Herod’s death , the angel once again instructed Joseph to return to Israel, and he once again obeyed without hesitation.

This truly showcased his continued trust in God’s guidance.

There is much safety in obedience.

God has promised to lead us as our Gentle Shepherd.

Our job is to follow His instructions.

Psalm 32:8 KJV

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

God uses human faithfulness.

God often accomplishes His plans through faithfulness of ordinary people.

When God calls us to act, even in small ways, we may be part of a much bigger picture of His work.

One day in the mid-19th century, a humble Sunday school teacher named Edward Kimball felt a deep burden for one of his students, a young man named Dwight L. Moody. Moody was working at a shoe store at the time and, though he attended Sunday school, had not yet given his life to Christ. Kimball knew that God was pressing him to share the gospel with Moody personally, but he struggled with fear and doubt.

On the day Kimball resolved to visit Moody at the store, he wrestled with his nerves. As he walked down the street, he debated whether to go inside. He even passed the shop several times, struggling to summon the courage to step through the door. “What if I say the wrong thing?” he thought. “What if he rejects the message?”

Finally, Kimball mustered his courage and went inside. He found Moody in the stockroom, wrapping shoes. There, with a heart full of both fear and compassion, Kimball began to share the love of Christ. He spoke simply and earnestly, telling Moody how much Jesus loved him and how He had given His life so Moody could be saved.

Though Kimball felt his words were clumsy and insufficient, God used them to change Dwight L. Moody’s life forever. Moody gave his heart to Christ that day, and he would go on to become one of the greatest evangelists in history, preaching to millions and leading countless souls to salvation.

Edward Kimball’s act of obedience reminds us that God doesn’t require eloquence or perfection—just faithfulness. The results of that one simple conversation are still rippling through history today.

Because of Edward Kimball’s faithful obedience, D.L. Moody went on to lead over one million people to Christ.

Remember a puzzle piece may seem insignificant on its own, but every piece is vital to completing the whole picture.

Joseph’s actions were crucial to protecting Jesus and fulfilling prophecy.

We see they were guarded by Obedience, and secondly they were

B. Guided to Fulfill Purpose

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Even though Joseph faced fear over obeying, He obeyed.

The Bible says Jesus settled in Nazareth "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23).

While no single Old Testament verse explicitly states this, it is a fulfillment of the overarching theme of the Messiah's humble and despised nature.

1. Nazareth’s Role in Prophecy

There is a connection to the despised origins

Nazareth was a small, disrespected town, making the title "Nazarene" synonymous with being despised or insignificant (John 1:46).

John 1:46 KJV

46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

This aligns with prophecies like Isaiah 53:3, which says, "He is despised and rejected of men."

Connection to the Branch Prophecies:

The Hebrew word netzer, meaning "branch," appears in Isaiah 11:1:

Isaiah 11:1 KJV

1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Jesus, as the "Branch," grew out of humble origins to fulfill God’s redemptive plan.

But this shows us …

2. God’s Sovereignty Over Details

Nazareth, though seemingly an insignificant detail, fulfilled a crucial aspect of God’s plan.

The Messiah’s association with Nazareth emphasized His humility and connection with the marginalized.

Just as God chose Nazareth to be the home of the Savior, He can use any humble or overlooked part of your life for His purposes.

Trust that nothing in your life is too small for God to work through.

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, 'Mine!'” – Abraham Kuyper

I used to enjoy watching Bob Ross on tv. I used to watch the artist carefully selecting even the smallest brush to add detail to his masterpiece.

Those tiny strokes may seem insignificant on their own, but they contribute to the beauty of the final work.

In the same way, God uses every detail of His plan, even Nazareth, to complete His redemptive masterpiece.

Conclusion

The story of Jesus’ early years, as recorded in Matthew 2:13-23, reminds us that God’s plan for redemption is unstoppable.

From guiding Joseph in obedience to preserving Jesus through Herod’s evil, and even to the seemingly insignificant choice of Nazareth as His home, we see God’s sovereign hand at work.

No force—whether human or spiritual—can hinder the purposes of God.

I want to challenge you this morning in three areas:

Trust God in Uncertainty:

Just as Joseph and Mary trusted God when they fled to Egypt, you can trust Him when life takes unexpected turns. He is faithful to guide and provide for you.

Where in your life do you need to trust God more fully?

Think back on how He has been faithful in the past and lean into that confidence for the future.

Shine in the Darkness:

Jesus came as the Light of the World to a place of great darkness.

As His followers, we are called to reflect His light, especially during difficult times.

Who in your life needs to see Christ’s light through you this week?

Reach out in love and share the hope of Jesus.

Obey in Faithfulness:

Like Joseph, simple acts of obedience in your life can have eternal significance.

Even when your actions seem small, God can use them in mighty ways.

What step of faith is God asking you to take?

Commit to act this week, trusting that God will use your obedience for His glory.

Think back to what I said about the Subway Caves in California being formed by the relentless force of flowing lava.

Those forces are unstoppable in their purpose.

God’s plan for salvation is like that—steady, powerful, and unwavering.

Nothing could stop His love from reaching us, and nothing can separate us from it

Romans 8:38–39 KJV

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Trust in God Fully

Surrender your fears and uncertainties to the God whose plans never fail.

Shine for Him Boldly

Let the light of Christ shine through your words and actions, especially during this Christmas season.

Obey Him Faithfully

Step forward in obedience, knowing that even small acts of faith can have an eternal impact.

As you celebrate Christmas this week, remember that the baby born in Bethlehem, the child protected in Egypt, and the Savior raised in Nazareth is the unstoppable Redeemer who reigns today.

His plan is perfect, His love is unshakable, and His victory is certain.

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