Matthew 1:18-19 "...Mary, was engaged to be married to Joesph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph , her fiance, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly."
Can you imagine how Joseph must have felt? The woman he loves and is ready to marry tells him she is pregnant! This was not like today where Maury has made millions from people seeking to know who the babies father is - this was back when Joseph could have had Mary stoned for this! The only explanation he has is that it is God's baby... think of that - you are set to be married and told, "By the way I am pregnant, but do not worry I was faithful, the baby is God's."
The next part of the story tells us Joseph had a dream in which an angel confirmed that the child was God's and the importance of the child. The amazing part is that Joseph had the faith to accept the dream and he took Mary as his wife. How hard must it have been to not doubt and question Mary during her pregnancy? Human nature would be jealous and resentful... but Joseph chose to be obedient.
After Jesus was born, Joseph had three more dreams - each required him to relocate his family to protect Jesus. As a father, I understand doing anything for your children though the faith it took to repeatedly relocate your family based on a dream... I recognize that God speaks to his people, but I also recognize that it requires a great deal of faith to act on what we hear.
Read Matthew 1:18- 2:23, try to put yourself in Joseph's position and imagine the faith it took to act as obediently as he did. When God reveals his desires you, how will you react?
Comments