Advent DevotionalSample

The Story of Joseph

Think about the hardest decision you’ve had to make. Was it about who to marry, what job to take, or where to go to college? Life is filled with decisions and some of them are really difficult! Maybe you are sitting in one right now and don’t know the right thing to do. Even when you can discern the right thing to do, it can be difficult to actually do it!

Joseph, in today’s passage, is facing one hard decision. Joseph is engaged to be married to the love of his life, then, one day, everything changes. He finds out that his future bride is pregnant—and not by Joseph! I’m sure his heart was broken. So, he had a huge decision to make.

Scripture says Joseph was a righteous man. So rather than lashing out in anger, he tries to make a decision out of love. His “right” according to the law, was to expose her and she could be stoned to death. Instead, acting out of love, he decides to end the relationship quietly, not publicly. Soon after, God speaks. God sends an angel to tell Joseph the whole truth of how this came to be and what he should do. Seems like an easey decision now, right? But, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things.

This decision required action, and those actions would have consequences. God didn’t give Joseph’s dream to everyone, just to Joseph. Everyone else they’d meet would be left to speculate about their “unrighteousness” – he or she would be seen as an adulterer. There would be a cost to Joseph and his “righteous” reputation. Thankfully, Joseph had the wisdom to make a decision that honored God, and he had the courage to live it out.

God invited Joseph into His plan to save the world, and God invites you into His plan too! When we choose to honor God’s will in difficult decisions, He does amazing things.

Reflect

When you face difficult decisions, how do you know what God’s will is? (Some common ways: Prayer, Scripture, and wisdom from mature family or friends). Spend some time praying through these questions: Is there an area in your life you are asking God for direction? Is there courage you need to follow through? How can the decision you make honor God?

Pray

God, thank You that You fulfill Your promises. Many times, You fulfill them in miraculous ways. Sometimes You use the obedience of Your people. Help me to be one of those people. In my big decisions and small decisions, I want to know Your will and do Your will. Holy Spirit speak to me and give me the courage to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.