Matthew 1:24

New International Version (NIV)

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

For meditation

It always amazes me when I think about the obedience of Joseph when the angel spoke to him about Mary’s pregnancy (Matt. 1:24). It is so easy to read and just move on through the story without giving it careful thought and meditation. However, there is something I find very critical in this Christmas narrative that can lift our obedience to another level in our walk with Jesus. It is called respect – reverence for the One we call, our Lord and God. Think about it this morning.

1. Why do we find it so difficult to obey the voice of God? Could it be that our struggle with His word has something to do with the level of our respect for Him?
2. How many times have we not given up on something we strongly felt for just because someone we really respect intervened? How many times have we not been prevailed upon to do something we vowed never to do, just because we held in high esteem, the voice that spoke to it?
3. So, why is it so difficult for us to simply do what God tells you to do or to hold back on something we really love to do, if indeed we venerate Him so much as to call Him Lord? Is there anybody worthy of our highest esteem and absolute obedience than God?
4. What do you think was the secret behind the obedience of all the people of faith? Don’t you think that respect and honor for God, undergirded Abraham’s faith that led to his obedience? Don’t you think it was the same honor and respect for God that caused Joseph to take Mary home as his wife in spite of the shame and humiliation he knew he could suffer for her pregnancy (Matt. 1:24)?
5. How about you? Do you respect God so much that you cannot refuse His word even when it is the most uncomfortable thing to do?

I pray that this Christmas season, you will be challenged to check your respect quotient for God against that of the people you respect and obey and see who really your Lord is. And while you are at it, you may have to consider who actually signs your check.

So: May you simply obey the voice of God just as Joseph did and took Mary home to be his wife because he esteemed Him who spoke; and may your obedience bring glory to God in Christ Jesus as Lord.

Reverence for God has everything to do with our faith and obedience.

Shalom