Thursday, December 22

JOSEPH’S JOURNEY

Matthew 1:18-25

Although Joseph might have had many amazing plans for his life with Mary, he decided to give all of that up when he found out she was pregnant. He still loved her, but he wanted to spare her the shame of being a public example. He felt that it would be best if they separated. God had a bigger plan and it involved Jesus, who would save His people from their sins. Joseph set aside what he thought was best—putting away Mary quietly—in favor of obeying God’s will, which was to marry her.

“Then Joseph…did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.” Well, that’s just great! Isn’t Joseph quite the role model now, as he set aside his plans for God’s? He did the right thing! Wow! Joseph is good because he obeyed God! That ought to make him all set, right? NO! Joseph was on a journey, and God’s plan didn’t stop there. A single step has never been sufficient to be called a journey, but every journey does begin with a single step. This was a big step in Joseph’s life, but it was actually the beginning of an even bigger journey. He was embarking on a journey of trust and obedience; it was a journey of Life.

In this big decision in life, an angel had appeared to Joseph, and told him the will of God, and Joseph was obedient. Look further into Joseph’s journey: “…An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph…and said, ‘arise…’” (Matthew 2:13) “…An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph…saying, ‘arise…’” (Matthew 2:19) Do you see the pattern? I see a pattern of God calling Joseph into His Way. God is merciful and continues to call him and direct him in the way he should go. I also see a pattern of Joseph rising and obeying. “Then Joseph…did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took to him his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) “When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt.” (Matthew 2:14) “Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.” (Matthew 2:21) Time after time, in His mercy, God calls Joseph and leads him by the hand. Time after time, in complete trust, Joseph puts his hand in God’s, and follows on the journey. Time after time, in selfless love, Joseph takes the hands of those that he loves, and leads them in the way that God has specified.

If you have your ear open to the voice of God, you will also hear these merciful calls throughout your life. “Get up and take this one whom you love to be united in my will.” “Get up and take these that you care about into a place of safety.” “Get up and deny worldly lusts and seek my WAY, my TRUTH, and my LIFE.” It is my prayer that every day, in complete trust, you will put your hand in God’s, and follow on the journey of Life. ARISE! FOLLOW!

God, help me to reach out my hand, and, in selfless love, take the hands of those I care about, and lead them in Your Way, Your Truth, and Your LIFE!

~ Joel Warren