Scripture:

“The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.

 

While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: ‘Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.’ This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:

 

Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-25 (MSG)

 

Perspective:

Joseph’s next steps were planned out. He would get married and move into a new season of life with his wife. Yet, in the process of carrying out his plan, God had a different plan. Mary didn’t seem to be the person whom he had originally known. While Joseph was trying to figure out how to deal with the situation, God showed up in a dream to reveal something that Joseph could not have otherwise known. While Joseph was planning how to get out, God was preparing him to walk through a change in his plans. The angel of the Lord explained the situation to Joseph in a dream. Interestingly, Joseph did what he was instructed to do in the dream. For most of us, we would need additional confirmation, signs, directions, and negotiating. Yet, Joseph followed the Lord without delay. Joseph didn’t sit around and ponder what he had eaten the night before that caused him to have a far-fetched dream. He understood that God could use a variety of means to speak. While God had been silent for hundreds of years leading up to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, God’s silence was not a sign that He was not doing anything. He was actually setting the stage for the greatest story ever lived, and He was inviting Joseph to be part of the story. The promise that Joseph received in the dream would have to carry him through the criticism from former friends and people in his community who did not understand.
 

The method that God chose to speak to Joseph was through a dream. He could have used a variety of means, but in the quiet moments of the night, a divine revelation came to Joseph. God is still speaking today. God can do things for you like He did for Joseph. The method is not so much the issue as whether or not we are listening. When God gives us a promise, it can be hard to hold onto it when all the situations surrounding us don’t align with that promise. Like Joseph, we need to be faithful to obey God’s directives even when our situations seem impossible. What impossible story is God inviting you to participate in with Him? The story of Christmas is about the impossible coming to life. It’s the story of Jesus coming to earth  in the most unlikely circumstances to save you and me. Yet, God, in His providence, was making sure every detail of the prophecies were fulfilled. It is a reminder of the story in the Old Testament when Joshua was reflecting on God’s working in delivering the Israelites into the Promised Land. He said, “Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things God, your God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing’s left undone—not so much as a word” (Joshua 23:14b MSG). The promises of God were fulfilled for Joshua, as they were fulfilled for Joseph through Jesus. Christmas is a reminder that God is true to His Word. No matter the circumstances, you can count on the fulfillment of His promises in your life as well. 
 

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

 

 

 

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