I have been thinking about Joseph all day and want to revisit the Matthew 1:18-25.  Joseph’s encounter with the angel of God was in a dream.  Since angels were heavenly beings the natural reaction would be fear.  Joseph was contemplating what he was going to do about Mary when he went to sleep.  “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.” Matthew 1:20-21  The angel senses Joseph’s fear and confusion so he puts him at ease and tells him Do Not Fear.  Joseph took him at his word as “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife”.   Joseph was a godly man that wanted to follow God.  He trusted in God enough to put his future in God’s hands.   

There are a couple of lessons and truths for us in this passage.  Joseph was aware of them as his actions showed that he knew them.  First, God knows the  society in which I live and realizes that I need his encouragement and reassurance to do His will when in opposition to worldly standards.   Joseph was considering what to do when he went to sleep and received both encouragement and reassurance from God of the right action to take.  Was it easy?  No, he would face ridicule, possibly shame and certainly misunderstanding for staying with Mary.  But, this second truth is very evident too. Blessings come when I stay in God’s will and do as He instructs.   Joseph knew the hard way with God was going to be worth it.  He was told that this child he would raise would be “Immanuel” or God with us.  He recognized the honor God was bestowing on them.  Joseph was a man of faith and trusted God.

Which of these truths do you need today?   Are you struggling against worldly standards?  Are you being pulled to do things that you know are not really right?   Stand with Joseph and trust in God.  We don’t always understand God’s ways but they are right, and we need to cling to them and follow Him.  Are you prepared to be blessed for choosing God’s way?  God keeps His promises and obedience always brings blessing.  You have to believe and trust- sometimes it is hard but stand with Joseph today.

Trying to stand in faith with Joseph,

Linda