“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife” (Matthew 1:24).

 I am so impressed with Joseph. Apparently as soon as he got up from his sleep he obeyed the Lord and took Mary to be his wife. While I so respect Joseph for his courage and conviction, I must not forget Mary. Tomorrow we will think of the tremendous decision and compliance of this young teenage girl that we know as Mary. But for today, think of the obedience of Joseph. He did not argue with the Lord. He did not complain to the Lord about his circumstances. He did not hesitate to obey the Lord. We need to be very careful as we read God’s Word that we do not offer up excuses for our delay and disobedience. As a Christian counselor I have threatened to write a book and entitle it, “Yeah, But!” I have heard these two words so many times over the years. Folks agree with what God’s Word says, but then they interject that terrible word “but.” Then the excuses come. I am so glad it was not that way with Joseph. He acted with faith and obeyed even if he did not fully understand.

 For today: Joseph’s kind of obedience sounds like it would be good for you and me as well.