Monday, September 24, 2012

Matthew 1:18-24 Keep The Faith

(NIV)
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son 18 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. 19 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.
20 But after he had considered this, 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. 21 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."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Just a thought...
Mary had to be petrified. She was 16.  She was asked to assume a responsibility unlike any other. She was to carry a child that didn't have a Father by known ways . Mary was to accept this miracle that went against nature. This required great faith in God and in his promises. Poor Mary wasn't even married yet. Pregnancy outside of marriage was unacceptable in those days. Mary was engaged to Joseph, but the engagement was to last for a whole year. She was to take a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family wouldn't understand without God's intervention. She believed and trusted in God's promises.
Joseph was a good, God fearing man. He didn't want to embarrass Mary when he discovered that she was pregnant. It looked as if she had broken their engagement by being unfaithful to him. Joseph with a troubled heart would have prayed to God for guidance. God sent him the assurance he needed. Joseph believed the divine message from the angel.  He took Mary as his wife. He accepted the responsibility of raising of the promised Messiah. Mary and Joseph are models of faith. Are you ready to believe in the promises of God? It can be difficult when our lives plummet downward and appear to be without hope. God has not left us alone. He has a plan. Start each day with a joyful heart! Let us renew our faith and hope in God and His plan for our lives!

Prayer:
 Dear Lord Jesus, You came to save us from sin. May we always rejoice in your salvation and trust in your plan for our lives.  Amen

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