Be OBEDIENT

Our Day 4 – challenge is Be OBEDIENT.

In Matthew 1:24-25), the Bible says, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

A biblical example of obedience is Joseph in Matthew 1. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant BEFORE they consummated their marriage, he contemplated “putting her away secretly” so that she would not become a public example of shame (Matthew 1:18-19). But God sent a message to Joseph in a dream. The angel of the Lord told Joseph "The Baby in Mary’s womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit." He also told Joseph to name Him “Jesus” because He would be the Savior to redeem the world from sin. When Joseph woke up from the dream, the Bible said that Joseph “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife and did not know her till she brought forth her first born Son. And he called Him Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25).   

Take a moment and imagine yourself in an unexplainable situation like Bro. Joseph. Wow! Joseph had every right to annihilate his engagement with Mary. Can you imagine the gossip in the town about Joseph? The bible doesn’t give any credence to the rhetoric that spewed out of the mouth of Joseph’s relatives and friends. But just imagine what was being said. What would you have said if you were there? The definition of obedience is “dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority” (c.f. Logos Bible Factbook). In this context, the authority figure is God. IF you are a believer in Jesus Christ, ALL of us have a form of an authority figure in the flesh. But your ultimate authority figure is God.

Regardless of the harsh stares Joseph received. Regardless of the unwise counseling from friends and family. Joseph: the husband of Mary who was the mother of Jesus; “did as the angel of the Lord commanded” despite the risk of being ostracized by his community.

Question: Is God asking you to do something that appears to be impossible? Are you disobeying His command because you fear what people will say rather than fearing God? As I thought about Joseph’s dilemma, I realized the reason he was able to be OBEDIENT to such a hard task was because he trusted in God more than he feared the ridicule of man.  I’m going to let that statement simmer for a while…………………………………………….

A very wise woman told me this…” One thing for sure is when God gives the command, He’s already equipped you for the task.”  Perhaps God have blessed you with a desire to start a business, implement a new ministry, write a book, adopt a child or family. Whatever it is…Woman of God….Be Obedient to whatever God is calling you to do. That very thing might just be the vehicle God uses to save someone else.

Be blessed.

Written by Sandra Kelley 12/24/23