When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took Mary home as his wife.
Matthew 1:24
NIV
Read Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph, a righteous man, saw no choice but to break the engagement with his betrothed -- Mary -- who was pregnant.
He knew the law... his culture's tradition. He lived it as best he could.
He knew the child was not his, and the hard stand Jewish law took with unwed mothers... cut them off from the people...
But Joseph, being compassionate and merciful, decided to take care of everything according to the law... quietly.
Before Joseph could act on his decision, God interfered. The call came to Joseph in a dream... a request so outrageous he would never have entertained the idea in a conscious state... God asked this righteous man to toss out the law and tradition he knew...
Do not be afraid... take Mary home as your wife...
In a step of trust... and obedience... he did.
Joseph took Mary home as his wife... under questionable circumstances... ones that marred his reputation and that of his new family... he willingly set aside his understanding of the law... and obeyed...
Trusting God... when He asks you to break with all you've known to be right... what you've counted on to guide and direct... to follow His definition of right... even when it means alienating yourself from a certain church tradition or denomination... sacrificing your understanding... becomes an act of worship...
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding...
Proverbs 3:5
NIV
Lord, may I always listen to You above my own understanding. May I never be too afraid to break with culture or tradition in order to obey You.
Are you willing to set aside your tradition... church culture... your understanding... to follow Him... and do whatever He asks...?
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