When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife. Matthew 1:24 – After coming off the Christmas season recently, likely we all have the nativity story well in our minds. We see the scriptural truths that Mary conceived Jesus as a virgin and our verse above shows Joseph decided to be the earthly father of Jesus. While a lot is focused on Mary in this story, can we pause for a moment and give some credit to Joseph. Here is a man who is seeking to live as faithfully as he can for the Lord, yet finds out the woman he is betrothed to is pregnant. Instead of humiliating here like most men would, he chooses to lovingly break off the betrothal so save her from some of the shame that would be attached to an event like this. Yet, when the Lord told him to marry her still, what did he do? He did exactly as the Lord told him to do. No questions, no debate, but immediately did exactly as God called him to do. Likely that choice was attached to mockery towards him and shame even directed at him. People likely questioned his character saying maybe he slept with Mary and that’s why he’s going through with the marriage. Whatever the gossip or pressures were that faced Joseph as a result of his choice to marry Mary, he faithfully did what God asked him to do. He set a good example of an earthly father for little Jesus even before Jesus was born. Know what God is asking you to do may have attached to it some earthly troubles. You must decide will the troubles cause you to sway from being obedient to the Lord or will your press forward remaining faithful to the Lord still. Choose wisely by choosing faithfulness to the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3323
Question To Ponder: What may be a worldly trouble you face for being obedient to the Lord?
See Full Chapter
See Previous Devotions Over This Chapter
Daily DEVO 
Leave a comment