When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him.
He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son.And he named Him Jesus.
A good man, engaged to a good woman.
All seemed in line for the young couple until the most unexpected turn of events: Mary, a virgin, was pregnant.
The heart-wrenching confusion and disappointment are evident.
“Mary would never…”
“There must be another explanation…”
“There is no other explanation…”
After drawing the only conclusion he could, anchored in despair, Joseph reveals the strength of his character in his plans for how to end the engagement.
However, before he can proceed, an angel appears to him– an event incredible in itself– with news even more incredible…
There was, in fact, another explanation…
Mary had not become pregnant by a man at all…
**Pause** Read that last sentence again– Think about that! **Unpause**
God caused Mary’s pregnancy.
What? Huh? Wait…No way…
Don’t allow familiarity to block what took place. The Angel told Joseph was pregnant by The Holy Spirit…
If I were Joseph, I would have called this news pure crazy talk; after disregarding it, I would have moved forward with my plans.
Joseph’s reaction, quoted above, was surprisingly different. Far from calling the news “crazy talk,” Joseph obeys the direction. Cancelling his plans of quietly divorcing Mary, Joseph marches forward as directed.
When facing the impossible, Joseph believed and obeyed.
Joseph was able to do this because of his faith in God’s limitlessness. Had Joseph ever heard of something like this before? No. But God isn’t limited by what has been. God’s power is limitless, and his purposes are good. If God says so, it can be so.
The same is true for our lives. If God says so, it can be so.
Much Grace, SAM
When We Walk with the Lord
WHEN we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
SASB #690
By: John Henry Sammis