“More Important to Obey Than Fearing What People Might Think” (Christmas 2019)

I often think of Joseph, Mary’s fiancé. Their engagement sealed the agreement that they were reserved for each other. As soon as the living arrangements were complete and Joseph’s father gave the approval, Joseph would be on his way to the home of Mary to bring her to her new home. No doubt Joseph dreamed of this everyday.

Until…until the news came. “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). He must have been devastated. His thoughts drove him to concluding the worst.

Until…the Angel of the Lord explained the situation. Taking Joseph from the worst news that he could ever imagine discovering to the best news that was beyond his wildest dreams, the Angel Gabriel explained to Joseph the amazing plan God was unfolding for his Mary and himself. The promised One would come to them in quite the supernatural way. In her virginity, Mary would conceive her son by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife,” Gabriel instructed him. Joseph immediately obeyed. I am blessed and challenged by the courage and immediate obedience of Joseph. It was more important to him to obey God than to care about what people would say and think.

May the plan of the Lord be our greatest joy and highest prize regardless of what people may think or say of us.
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