Scripture to Read: Matthew 1:25
Joseph was willing to trust and obey God. We see this evidence clearly in Matthew 1:25. Joseph gave the baby the name of Jesus, which was the name the angel had given to Joseph as the angel spoke to him in his dream. Another sign of Joseph obeying God was that Joesph did not have sexual relations with Mary until she gave birth to Jesus. Now, nowhere in Scripture do we find where Joseph was told not to have sexual relations with Mary until she gave birth to Jesus, but Joseph’s choice to do this showed how he walked in God’s righteousness and hon- ored Him. Joseph fulfilled Philippians 2:3–4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the inter- ests of others.” The reason God had Matthew record that Joseph kept Mary a virgin until she gave birth to Jesus was to provide even more evidence that Jesus was the Son of God. We know Mary and Joseph had sexual relations after Jesus was born be- cause Jesus had younger brothers and sisters. Some religions teach that Mary should be worshipped, not only because she was the mother of Jesus, but because they also teach that Mary remained a virgin her entire life. We must continually examine God’s Word so that when we encounter false teachings we are not swayed by them—also, God is then able to use us to help teach and lead others to follow God’s Word.
Challenge & Application
• What did God teach you today about trusting and obeying Him as Joseph did?
• How are you studying the Word daily, and how is God trans- forming you through His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!