The Gift of Obedience

Series:  The Perfect Gift 12/11/11 When Joseph first heard the news of Mary’s pregnancy, he struggled with the decision of what to do.  As a righteous man, he must have prayed for God’s guidance, because he wanted to do the right thing.  In his mind, he came to the conclusion that he would quietly divorce her.  He would show her mercy. However, God had other plans, and that night Joseph received his own angelic appearance in a dream, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Now Joseph has another decision to make: will he obey God or will he follow his own decision. The gift that Joseph gave that first Christmas is the gift of obedience. It is the gift that God desires from each of us. Joseph obeyed in taking Mary as his wife. Joseph obeyed in naming the child Jesus. Joseph later obeyed another angelic visitation in taking his family to Egypt for the safety of the child (Mt 2:13). Joseph obeyed in raising Jesus as his son every day. As we look at the story of Joseph, it teaches us several vital truths of the obedience that God desires from us.