When you are ready to go out the door and discover you don”™t have your usual keys, back in you go to search high and low until you find them”¦or until you take the extra set. How “˜troubling”™ and upsetting it is not to have the needed item(s) available! How “˜troubling”™ to have misplaced anything that is important.

How “˜troubling”™ to hear news that is unpleasant to you.

Well, King Herod the Great of Israel was “˜troubled”™! This king who had been appointed by the Roman Senate and had no Jewish blood in his veins was “˜troubled”™. This king who had murdered his wife, his own three sons, relatives and others who had threatened his throne”¦was “˜troubled”™, but not by his evil deeds.

(NASB) Matthew 2:3 “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

The “˜troubling”™ news ““ wise men had come to worship the One born King of the Jews.

Those who are “˜troubled”™ by God”™s promises

are those who are in opposition to Him.

Remember: the shepherds rejoiced at the birth of Messiah when they saw Him in a manger in Bethlehem.

(NASB) Matthew 2:4 “Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.”

Isn”™t it interesting that Herod knew of the prophecy of Messiah, he did not question it. He went to the people who could find the prophecy and he asked them “˜where the Messiah was to be born.”™

(NASB) Matthew 2:5-6 “They said to him, “˜In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

6 And you, Bethlehem, Land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.”™”

Those without faith in God are “˜troubled”™ by the facts which cause believer”™s joy.

What the chief priests and scribes found was God”™s promise”¦but they missed the Messiah.

What “˜troubles”™ you?