Pam Padgett - teacher
As we deal with various issues in our lives and desire to be led by God
in making decisions it sometimes seems impossible that God
can communicate with us the way we are to go.
In Matthew 1 we're told how God communicated to Joseph what to do when
Joseph learned Mary was with child. Reading this, my faith was
strengthened in God being able to lead us in a way we can understand, regardless of whatever
we're dealing with.
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.
Since Mary was with child before she and Joseph had come together, putting her away would seem to be the right course of action for Joseph.
But God was able to communicate even in this with Joseph to lead him in
another way according to the purpose of God, by sending an angel to appear to Joseph in a dream. And
the angel gave Joseph the information he needed so he would know what to
do.
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.
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.
Seeing in the Bible how God has led His people, as well as reviewing ways God has led us in our own lives ... using such things as dreams, or a scripture, or a thought brought to us by the Holy Spirit ... builds us up in trusting God to be able to "get through" to us and lead us in the ways we are to go.