Scripture:
Matthew 1
Vs 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came togethershe was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Vs 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Vs 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife,
Vs 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
Vs 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
Vs 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife …
Observation:
Matthew gives us a list of all the families from Abraham leading right up to the family of Jesus.
And then gives details of the circumstances of Jesus’ immediate family.
Nobody could possibly make this up.
The Savior of the world born to a couple of unwed teens.
Yet, there is plenty of chaos in the genealogy leading right up to it.
Even Abraham, who started it all, went out “not knowing where he was going”.
Joseph made his own plans to escape the messiness of his circumstances … “divorce her quietly”.
He even did this from a good heart and intentions … “being a just man”.
But God had other plans … “do not fear to take Mary as your wife”.
Application:
Do I believe that having God in my life will make my life easier?
Do I believe that having God in my life will make my life more comfortable?
Do I believe that living out the will of God will be easier and safer and less risky?
Only people that don’t read the bible could possibly believe that.
The story of Joseph is just one of countless others that detail how living out the will of God will generally be the harder decision.
Do I make plans for my life to escape messy situations and avoid uncertainty?
Am I willing to put my reputation at risk for the sake of bucking cultural trends or social pressures?
Do I seek first the Kingdom of God or the “wide path” of easy living and pleasure?
Once I have made choices, am I willing to listen for God’s redirection? (Joseph changed “as he considered these things”)
How can so many Christians believe the Christian life is supposed to be easier?
Joseph’s life became incredibly more difficult after God entered his life in the most tangible of ways!
How can I be as obedient as Joseph?
How can I be as courageous as Joseph?
How can I be as willing to change my thinking as Joseph?
I must remember why “all this took place” …. “GOD IS WITH US”!
If I remember that God is with me in all difficulty, in all hard choices, in all uncertain circumstances … this is what gives me the courage to take the “narrow road” … the road of faith.
Prayer:
Thank you, God for your Word.
Help me to know you are with me.
Give me your courage to walk in difficult circumstances
Help me see you when I am afraid
In Jesus name
Amen
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