Matthew 1:20 (NKJV) 

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’“ 

Joseph must have been terrified of continuing the relationship with Mary because of the implications of what that would mean. I can imagine him wrestling with himself and wondering what could have happened to Mary. And even if Mary had explained things to him, it just wouldn’t have been sufficient. But Joseph was a just man who feared the Lord and wanted to do what was right. But he was in a dilemma. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and it must have been such a dream that he could not ever confuse its meaning or message. Although it was still a tough decision to take, Joseph was committed to obeying God at all costs; even when it may not have made complete sense to so do.  

God may require us to make some tough decisions, and we need to be ready for such. And the best way to prepare to obey in big things is to obey in the smaller things. Joseph must have learned to obey God in more trivial things even at his inconvenience, hence the confidence God had to make this bigger demand of him. Let’s grow our obedience levels in smaller things that come our way every day and let’s watch our index of sacrifice and inconvenience when we are called upon to obey God. Do we escape obedience when it’s inconvenient? If we do, we just may be cheating ourselves out of a greater glory down the road. 

“Lord, make me like Joseph. Make me an obedient son who obeys, all the time, even when it’s inconvenient. Like with Joseph, please send me help to strengthen my resolve or to guide my decision-making, when am unsure or fearful. Please don’t leave me to myself. Have mercy on me and help me fulfill my role in your unfolding plans for my generation. Amen.”