Obedience

OBEDIENCE

Not much is recorded in the Bible about Joseph,

Jesus' stepfather, other than he loved his wife

and he was quick to be obedient to his God

who spoke to him in dreams through an angel of the Lord.

Just as Mary was chosen to be Jesus' mother,

Joseph was also chosen to be his earthly father.

Was Joseph chosen because God knew he would be obedient

to follow God's instructions whenever and wherever sent.

We do know Joseph was quick to obey

as we read he got up right away

to do what the angel had said

through a dream as he slept on his bed.

Not just once but four or more times.

Joseph obeyed time-after-time.

Willingly, with a heart of faith,

in whatever challenges he faced.

We don't know if Joseph ever questioned God

perhaps thinking the request was too hard.

It seems as if Joseph had learned to trust God

and was willing to embark with a “yes, Lord” nod.

Surely it must have been difficult to move

but Joseph's willing obedience proved

that he knew God's plan was best

so he set out on each quest.

Joseph, a man of few words,

yet chosen by Holy God

perhaps for his willing obedience

in turn changing the world's essence.

For this obedient man

played a part for all humans

passed down to countless generations

in the Christmas story rendition.

* * * * *

Have you ever felt nudged in your spirit by God

to do something contrary, a bit hard?

Was it something easy to obey?

Or did you grudgingly obey?

Will generations be affected by

whatever it is you were asked to try?

Perhaps you need to pray that your testimony will be bold

for there are millions all over the earth waiting to be told.

Your legacy that you pass down may be

obedience that others will see

that may change the course of a nation

now and through future generations.

Here are a few verses signifying Joseph's obedience:

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...”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took Mary home as his wife.

Matthew 1:20, 24

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

“Get up,” he said,“Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt...”

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt....

Matthew 2:13-14

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt

and said,

“Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel...”

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:19-21

Having been warned in a dream,

he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.

Matthew 2:22b-23

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

Luke 2:39

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;

they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and I will mediate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,

and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you.

They will tell of the glory of your kingdom

and speak of your might,

so that all men may know your mighty acts

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is faithful to all his promises

and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord upholds all those who fall

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:3-21