Matthew 1:18-25
As we move closer to Christmas, it is important to remember how the conception and birth of Jesus came about. Joseph was a young man, engaged to Mary, and before they were married, it was found that Mary was pregnant. In the culture, Mary would have been stoned for adultery, if Joseph spread the word that she got pregnant out of wedlock. Joseph loved Mary and didn't want any harm to come to her, so he decided to quietly leave her, so that her and her baby's lives would be spared.
God spoke to him in a dream, and revealed that Mary was with child, but that he should stay with her because the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He knew the consequences of having a baby before marriage, and he knew his reputation would be tarnished, but he trusted in God's plan for his life.
"…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." Matt 1:20. The child is conceived, and it is of the Holy Spirit, and it is a good thing! God's plan had already been put into place…it wasn't pending Joseph's reaction. God's ways are higher. He doesn't make His decisions based on our obedience to Him. God trusted that Joseph would obey, but he didn't have to. Joseph made the choice to stay and endure the trial and see what would come of it. He became the man he was called to be!
Even when we go through something difficult that we didn't see coming, we must remember that God has His hand on our lives, and that He is in control. We may never see all that God is doing and how our lives affect others, but our job is to obey and learn what God wants to teach us. He doesn't want us to ever be content where we are, because He always has more that He wants us to know. Joseph was a just man, but God wanted him to go further. He had more to teach him. He could have rejected God's plan for his life, but he was humble enough to obey, and that obedience was what enabled him to learn and grow.
~ Kimberly Frantz
