Instructed by an angel, Joseph and Mary took their child to Egypt right before Herod conducted a mass killing of children. This is so that the child would grow up to be Jesus the Saviour - the “joy to the world”.

But for the families of the slain children? Sorrow and pain. Why did God not engineer a solution to avoid innocent children’s death? How was this a plan for good for those families?

Only God knows. Faith necessitates me to trust him even when I do not understand.

I also wonder how some of those families treated Jesus when they encountered him. “Because of you, Herod slain my child.”

Did they become his followers or the ones who shouted “crucify him”?

God allows pain in my life. How I respond determines whether I take part in his plan for me or I bow out.

Lord,
Give me faith to choose to take part in your plan; pain notwithstanding.