“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:18 NIV
Joseph was a righteous man. He obviously was a man possessing a great amount of self-control.
First, when hearing of Mary’s pregnancy he knew he couldn’t be the father. Although engaged, and intending to become her husband, Joseph hadn’t touched Mary intimately.
Second, knowing he couldn’t possibly be the father of Mary’s baby must have cut him to the quick. How hurt he must have been! How many men would have publicly lashed out at her! Yet instead of pulling from personal pain to publicly persecute her, he mentally decided to end things quietly.
Joseph was a righteous man indeed. When the evidence stacked up against the woman he promise to love, he didn’t denounce her to the world. He loved her even through her seemingly unforgivable misdeeds.
To both Joseph and Mary’s reassurance, God who had orchestrated the pregnancy, revealed the truth to Joseph in a dream and silenced his fear and confusion concerning Mary.
Mary had done nothing wrong. Joseph was strong enough in his faith to accept the incomprehensible complexity of an unchartered scenario, and accepted whatever God assigned him.
How Mary must have treasured Joseph’s love for both his God and his wife!
That even though unconventional, Joseph was accepting of their divinely assigned scenario and willing to obey his God.
Reflections:
Do I practice righteousness and self-control when faced with difficult circumstances?
How can I work at building my faith this year to strengthen my resolve to fulfill my divine assignment?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that You promise to supply all my needs. Please help me to grow my faith and trust in You so that I can do Your will. Amen.
Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, January 18, for the next post.