Friday

December 4, 2020

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23  “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”  

It’s so easy to say, but so hard to actually do. The angel said to Joseph, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.”. Taking Mary as a wife would be to bring her shame into his life. It would mean taking on an identity. It’s one thing to be merciful and break the engagement quietly, but to take her as a wife!

It’s not unlike what God asks us to do with his Son. Take him as your Savior. Not just know about Him, or even be somewhat involved. Be identified with Him. Commit your life to Him!

Putting your future in God’s hands isn’t easy. Like Joseph, you’d want a foundation for your decision. You’d want to be as sure as possible. Joseph’s faith wasn’t blind. It was based on what the prophet said through the angel….“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!”.

God wanted Joseph to know and trust the prophecies, and he wants you and I to do the same. Many years before He came, God would give clear signs to those who would seek Him.

He will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), 

A messenger will prepare His way (Malachi 3:1), 

He will enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) 

He will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12) 

He will die by having his hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16)

Joseph was willing to trust God and take the plunge….are you?

Greg Guttridge