Day 5 : IMMEDIATELY OBEYS  Matt. 2: 24,25  

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

 This is where, for me, Joseph rises to hero status. In the midst of all that he has felt and seen and experienced, all the wrestling and confusion, he wakes from the dream, from hearing God speak to him, and obeys - immediately it would appear. And not just once - four times - Joseph hears from God and “immediately obeys”! Matt. 1:24, 2:14, 2:21, 2:22 (MSG)

 That is beautiful! But how is that possible? That can only happen if he is deeply in tune with the Father; completely embraced and defined by Him. He “immediately” says Yes to God - and in doing so says No to self, to Joseph. He says Yes to the role of “second fiddle” to Mary and No to his ego and need to play lead.

 (I would never have been on God’s short list...for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that I would want folks to dig ME, to recognize ME, to honor and esteem ME, to value and appreciate and talk about ME and the nobility of my part. I’d want equal billing. No 2nd fiddle for ME.)

REFLECTION :

 Morning Pause: Reflect on the irony that the very thing that is the source of his distress (this pregnancy…) turns out to be God’s greatest gift to him and the whole of humanity. Write your own Psalm of praise and thanks to God.

 Afternoon Pause: How “embraced” do you feel by God today? What can you identify that are determining factors - either for or against - His embrace. What are you letting define you today that is counter to how God defines you?

 Evening Pause: Pray forward for yourself. Ask your Father to give you a vision for this Joseph obedience-born-out-of-trust-and-love.