His plans for beginning a family had come crashing down on him. The woman he loved had delivered some devastating news – she was pregnant. As thoughts of what to do swirled in his anguished mind, he struggled to rest. Finally, sleep gave him some relief. As he dreamed, a startling revelation brought by a heavenly messenger altered his decision and propelled him into an incredible journey.Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins”… Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS (Matt. 1:19-21, 24-25 NKJV).
Can you imagine an angel of the Lord appearing to you with a message while you slept? When you awoke, would you have the courage to act on such? Would you second-guess your decision? After all, it was a dream.
Joseph was called “a just man”. Other translations use the word “righteous”. He walked with God, and was the very one the Lord had prepared to fulfill His promise made to Abraham 42 generations before (Matthew 1:17). Joseph knew the Scriptures, and was confident enough in God’s leading to step out in faith, shouldering the biggest responsibility of his life.
Do you have a “dream” God has placed in your heart? No, not one that happened while you slept, but one the Lord has been impressing on your very soul. Is a nagging dissatisfaction about your current Christian service causing you to dig deeper into the Word, pray more earnestly, and seek godly counsel, perhaps for a major shift in your life’s focus?
Joseph carefully – and surely, prayerfully - considered a course of action. And his first decision would have made perfect sense to his friends and family. But not to God. Joseph chose God’s way, and had the privilege of helping mold the young, tender years of our Lord Jesus. No greater challenge and adventure could be given to any man.
Will you follow Joseph’s example, as he “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him”? What challenging and thrilling adventure has God planned and presented for you to say “yes” to?
Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)
