This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25).
Father, how we struggle with wholehearted obedience! In Scripture You instruct us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). But we fall far short, and often cry out like the psalmist, "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees" (Psalm 119:5)!
O Lord, thank You for Scripture that provides us with so much encouragement and inspiration from the lives of ordinary people like us! Thank You for the example of simple faith and trusting obedience found here in the short narrative about Joseph.
Lord, we look at the little we have been told about his life, and we are struck by his kindness and his strength of character. We are introduced to the dilemma of this kind and righteous man, who was "faithful to the law," yet unwilling to expose to public disgrace the young woman pledged to him in marriage—a young woman he thought had betrayed him in one of the worst possible ways.
How different his reaction was from the typical reaction of those who feel they have been "wronged!" In the midst of what he thought was betrayal, this godly man, against all the norms of his times and culture, "had in mind to divorce her quietly" (Matthew 1:19).
Thank You for the lessons we learn from the man You chose for the human fatherly care of Your Son. Thank You for showing us his integrity and commitment to faith; his wisdom and equal commitment to compassion; his humility and his willingness to trust and obey.
O Lord, help us to have hearts that are ready, like Joseph's to serve You even when the task is difficult, even when the responsibility is great. Father, even when Your instruction is beyond our understanding, help us to trust You. Even when Your plans seem puzzling, and Your methods perplexing, help us not to lean on our own understanding.
Give us Your wisdom, O Lord, and the strength and courage to follow the path You direct. And even when we face misunderstanding or challenge, or mockery, or ridicule, give us the humility, the endurance, and the focus to trust You, and to obey You in simple surrender.
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