Pam Padgett ... teacher
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was
on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before
they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then
Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a
public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Joseph was a just man, wanting to do what
was right and upright in the sight of God. Joseph considered quietly
putting Mary away from him. But as he considered what to do, God sent an
angel to Joseph in a dream telling him about the son Mary would have
and instructing Joseph in what to do ....
Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt
call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of
the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with
child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Joseph was obedient to what he was told to do by the angel of the Lord ...
Matthew 1:24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had
brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
It stood out to me that Joseph pondered the
path of his feet, desiring to do what was right in the sight of God,
and allowing God to establish what he should do. Once God's will was established for Joseph, he went in that way.
Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Our own ideas can seem so
"right" to us. But the only thing that is important is what God wants us
to do, to turn to God and wait for Him to establish the way we are to
go.
It takes trust in God to do this, trusting that He will show us His will
in a way that we will understand, and waiting until this is done. Once
we believe we have heard God's will in the situation (asking God to
confirm we have heard from the Holy Spirit, not another spirit, if we're not sure), we then move forward in the
way we are shown.
Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall
bring it to pass.