MATTHEW 1:24-25

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

TO PONDER

The faith of Jospeh is pretty incredible! First, he is told a story by the woman he is betrothed to that would make anyone raise their eyebrows. At first, he doesn’t believe her and then he has his own angelic encounter and his whole perspective on the situation changes. He goes from someone who is going to quietly divorce the woman he was to be married to, to someone who sticks by her, and forgoes his husbandly rights. He also follows the command of God and gives the baby the name Jesus.

I sometimes wish that God would intervene in my life in a similar way. That he would make his ways known to me with an angel announcement or clear direction. But it hasn’t been that way for me. Despite this, I do know that God is always speaking to me, through his word, through the Holy Spirit and through those around me that he is using to guide and direct me. I just need to open my eyes and ears to hear the words he is saying to me!

PRAYER:Heavenly Father, thank you that I am not wandering alone in this world. Instead, you have given me your word, your spirit and your church to help guide me and make your ways known and clear to me. Help me to hear and see clearly and to understand where you want me to be and what you want me to do, Amen.

Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle