Key Text: Matthew 1: 18 – 2: 23
As we embark on a new year, let me take this opportunity to pray that you will have a successful year, good health and a closer walk with God.
The start of a new season may encourage us to consider making bold steps or stepping into uncharted waters. We often procrastinate on decisions which God has prompted us to make, but sometimes we feel slightly more empowered in the month of January. We also know that in contrast, many times we resolve to change in specific ways but only manage to do so until mid-January! When I joined a Weight Watchers group some years ago, the leader told us that the queue is very lengthy at the start of the year but will dwindle within few weeks and she was right!
Transitions are never easy; we desire change and want to be obedient to God, but naturally, fear the unknown. In the text, Joseph was already in transition from being single to married, when his life was interrupted by a pregnant fiancé who said the Holy Spirit was responsible for it. In last week’s entry, we explored his obedience despite initial doubts about the credibility of Mary’s story. A divine confirmation through an Angel of the Lord in a dream was enough to settle his concerns. Joseph was decisive and purposed to follow God’s plan for him to play a role in Jesus’ earthly life.
On closer examination of the text, it becomes more apparent that Joseph had other opportunities to resort to doubts as the way ahead seemed unclear and filled with trouble. He agreed to God’s plan despite the lack of clarity and details about how His plans would unfold. I admire Joseph’s commitment and childlike hope; unlike him, I struggle when details are unclear. I honestly do not like surprises and prefer that if I am going to an unfamiliar destination, I am at least able to plan the journey, noting different options, an arrival time and what awaits me when I get there. Joseph’s story teaches us that God sometimes guides us incrementally, despite our preferences for clarity.
From Joseph’s response to his circumstances, we may glean some essential truths about God’s guidance.
1. He keeps His promises (Numbers 23: 19; Joshua 21: 45). Though Joseph was previously unaware of God’s plans for his life, God had already destined to send His Son to save us, and the key players were selected long before Joseph was even an embryo! It was surprising to him but not to God. Sometimes we are faced with daunting commands from God or responsibilities, but we must remember that He is omniscient and will guide us even when the way seems unclear and the instructions appear in increments. All God needs from us is our cooperation – we can leave the fine print to Him when He has confirmed His plans for us. In our key text there were many fulfilled prophesies, spoken long before Joseph’s existence. Sometimes we are the recipients of promises from the Word which we believe and pray for by faith, and at other times, like Joseph, we are handpicked to be a part of a more extensive divine plan for humanity.
2. Sometimes God omits details as they may cause us to worry unnecessarily. Would Joseph have as much confidence if he knew that Jesus’ birth would result in threats to His life from Herod and a period of life as a refugee? Obedience to God often causes us to become targets but God will guide and protect us through our journey and give us victory (John 16: 33). In the first dream, there was only enough information for Joseph to take the first step. In the second dream, the Angel of the Lord revealed Herod’s plan to harm Jesus and instructed Joseph to flee to Egypt. Joseph was given more guidance and immediately took action. He was the earthly father of God’s Son, and was on the run – not only had his life been disrupted but the Saviour’s life was threatened from his birth. Imagine him becoming a refugee with a young family, and the Angel of the Lord had not revealed the details about his time in Egypt. Nonetheless, Joseph obeyed and protected Mary and Jesus. I assume that by that point He had seen so much of God’s guidance and faithfulness that he did not waste time to seek further details. Another step had been clarified and he did not allow his concerns about their future to break his trust in God. Though Joseph was not privy to details from God, they were protected; that admonishes us to trust God to provide for us when we are in His will.
3. Your destiny has been determined by God and even the pitfalls, plots of the enemy and detours will help you to get there (1 John 5: 3-5). If you are on a pathway designed by God, especially one which will draw attention to Him for His glory, expect opposition, alongside the opposition, expect deliverance. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph another two times with more specific guidance. Herod was dead. Subtext: God will take care of anyone who tries to harm those who are called according to His purpose; every opposition has an expiration date. Joseph got another instruction to return to Israel. As always, he obeyed promptly. Despite this command from God, he was unsettled as Herod’s son Archelaus was reigning. We later discover that Joseph’s discernment was divine as this distrust of Archelaus was followed by another warning from God in a dream to go to the region of Galilee. Joseph thereafter went to Nazareth and this fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. What begun as a fear for their safety led them to the specific place God had destined for Jesus’ earthly upbringing. Nazarenes were resented at the time and this location aligned with Isaiah’s prophecy that Jesus was rejected and despised (Isaiah 53: 3). Additionally, in the text, it is mentioned that there was a prophecy that God called His Son out of Egypt; Joseph awaited confirmation from God to know when to leave Egypt for Israel.
Though we are unsure of the length of time Joseph spent in Egypt, it is clear that his family’s early with Jesus early stages were filled with chaos. Imagine being the earthly parent of the Son of God, who was born in an inn and a refugee under the threat of a jealous king. Joseph was a carpenter, and perhaps longed to be safely home in an environment where he could provide for his family; nothing about his time with Mary and Jesus had been ‘normal’. Great destinies include great opposition – perhaps that explains your uncommon troubles. Joseph knew that God had ultimately given him a promise, but was oblivious to the technicalities. Yet, he was guided every step of the way.
What does this teach us? Sometimes transitions require us to take huge leaps of faith. God does not always tell us specifics but is pleased when like Joseph, we walk by faith, one step at a time (Hebrews 11: 6). The confidence that Joseph had to follow each step of the incremental guidance could only come from his assurance that God could be trusted. This year, let us make every effort to deepen our trust in God so when He speaks, even if he does not divulge all details, we know His voice and act accordingly. Rest in His guidance – He knows the way and has a specific plan for your life which cannot be destroyed (Psalm 32: 8; Isaiah 58: 11; Proverbs 16: 9). If you are in transition this year (through ages and stages, physical locations, career shifts, mind sets, new or modified relationships, obedience to the Holy Spirit’s conviction for salvation, obedience to your calling and the like), seek His guidance and like Joseph, resolve to obey promptly. Our God loves us all but we follow unique pathways – our guidance may not come through dreams like Joseph’s, but it will come in a way that we can understand if we commune with God. Sometimes, like Joseph’s, it is a clear and bold instruction to pivot, and at other times, it is a still small voice prompting us to change or be more like Jesus. In ‘Blots, Flaws and Revelations’ I wrote about a season when I began to understand God’s voice and His ways of confirming His Word. It seemed laughable and absolutely impossible to me at first, but as I grew in this area, I understood it is also possible for anyone who seeks Him. Transitions may be both exciting and worrisome experiences, but if God aided Joseph and his family through such turmoil to fulfil His promise to all of us, will He now abandon you? He won’t. I pray you will have the courage to stop procrastinating this year and transition to where God wants you to be in life, and more importantly in Him, even if the steps are revealed in stages as you learn to listen to His voice.
Remember, pray for even a minute or five today if that is all you can muster. He listens and will enable you to draw closer to Him even when you are confused or even frightened by the unfamiliar way ahead.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for allowing me to see another year. Thank you in advance for any opportunities to transition according to Your will. Help me to discern Your voice, and to be bold in transitions, knowing that You will guide me. Incremental guidance is not my preference, but if this how You choose to guide me this year, please grant me the grace to accept it and follow you wholeheartedly like Joseph. Thanks for the assurance that You will never leave or forsake me, regardless of the outcome, my confusion, opposition or detours along the way. Amen.
