Don’t take the easy way out!
It’s only a few days until Christmas!
Let’s pray together, “Jesus, as the days count down to celebrating your birth, I pray that we would be completely obedient to all that you are asking us to do. We want to celebrate the birthday of our King, with joy and obedience. God, give us the heart of Joseph and may we never choose the easy way out. We love you. Amen.”
Joseph had some hard choices to make. In the face of cultural pressure, his own fear, and the loss of his righteous reputation and his deep questions about Mary’s devotion, I am sure that Joseph was tempted to run away. When I think about how Joseph went from happily engaged to totally devastated, I am in awe of his response. Listen to the story with me....
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this....” (Matthew 1:18-20, NIV)
Joseph had to think deeply about his options, and God sent a heavenly encourager to help him not take the easy way out...
"...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'” (Matthew 1:20-21, NIV)
Even though people would never believe the story of Mary and Joseph (it is a MIRACULOUS story!), Joseph knew that he could trust God’s plan for his future. Listen to this obedience...
"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." (Luke 1:24, NIV)
friend, what is God asking you to do today that may involve taking the hard road of obedience instead of the easy way out?
This Christmas, is God asking you to release an old grudge and forgive? Is God asking you to be generous in the face of your own need? Is God asking you to take the high road of integrity even though it may cost you personally? Is God asking you to reconcile an estranged relationship even though you may have done nothing wrong?
Don’t take the easy way out! Just like Joseph, we can follow God’s plan and instruction knowing that God is always doing the miraculous.
May the God of Christmas, give you the same courage that Joseph relied upon to do the right thing! I promise that if you do what is asked of you today, there will be a miracle waiting for you....a Christmas miracle!
Merry Christmas my friend and never forget,
You are a miracle!
