Saturday, December 18
Matthew 1:18-19 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=159683759
A Righteous Man
Joseph was a righteous man. After finding that his wife-to-be was expecting a child, and knowing that it was not his own, he decided to quietly dismiss her from their betrothal. Though Joseph had every right legally, he had no desire to publicly humiliate Mary. Who knows what might have happened to Mary and baby Jesus if it were not for the appearance of an angel of the Lord in Joseph’s dream and the fact that Joseph, a truly righteous man, was willing to follow God’s leading?
So, there are at least of couple of things that we can say about Joseph: 1) God chose well—It took a man of Joseph’s character and faith to be there for Mary and to be Jesus’ adoptive father. 2) We experience what it means to live in a righteous manner through Joseph’s example. The righteousness we see in Joseph is simple: obedience to God and mercy to others. Righteousness looks first to God, next to the other, never to self (for that would be self-righteousness).
I want to invite you to ask a really important question of yourself: what is God’s will for my life today? Are there places in my life where I have been fighting God and less than willing to follow God’s leading? What is keeping you from saying “yes” to God? I know that may seem to be a huge question, but it is a question that really should be central to who we are and how we live each and every day. Joseph’s righteousness was not his own. It flowed, a gift from God, as Joseph opened his heart to follow God’s leading.
Kid’s Challenge
Write down the names of at least three friends today and pray for them each separately by name. Pray that God will help you to be a good and supportive friend and that they will experience God’s presence and leading in their lives.
Advent Blessings,
Rich
This Christmas, give the gift that only you can give,
…give yourself this Christmas! (Peter Mayer)
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