ADVENT DAY 9: Dec. 9
Matthew 1:22-25
Joseph
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. ESV
The Obedience of Joseph
By Allison McElwee
Joseph was given a job. He could accept it or walk away. After wrestling with what to do about Mary becoming pregnant with
someone else’s baby, Joseph fell asleep and the angel of God explained it to him in a dream. This baby was a miracle from the Holy Spirit, and Joseph was being called to care for Mary as his wife. The scripture says that he woke up and did what the angel commanded in his dream. He took Mary home as his wife. Not next week. Not once the baby was born. He did it right away when he woke up.
That obedience is probably what made Joseph qualified to handle the job of protecting the Son of God. He was a righteous man, and he knew when God was speaking. So, when an angel told him to take Mary home, he did it. Joseph had the privilege of a front row seat to see the Son of God come to earth. Joseph followed through with naming the child, Jesus. A name that would be the most spoken name in all the world, the Savior of a fallen world.
What does God have in store for you if you obey His commands? It might simply be peace in your heart, knowing that you are walking in the center of God’s will. It could be something life changing. It could be a stepping stone to a new plan for your life. Obedience brings blessing. This time the blessing was for the whole world. What is God asking you to do today? Choose obedience. God does amazing things through those who obey Him.
Prayer:
God, help me show my trust in you by my quick obedience. I confess, I often know what to do but hesitate to do it. Help me to hide your Word in my heart so that I obey you. In Jesus, your Son and our Lord, Amen.
