THE URGENCY OF INSTANT OBEDIENCE

December 17, 2024

 

 

When God speaks to you by His Word and Spirit, instructing you about your next step, how important is it to obey? Does it matter if you hesitate or procrastinate in your response? What happens if you ignore the promptings of His Spirit and the directions from His Word?

JOSEPH’S SIMPLE, INDISPENSABLE ROLE

The Christmas story all centers on Christ, and it should. Christ IS the story and why we celebrate. Mary is vital in her glad submission to the Father’s will. But we rarely talk about Joseph. We seem him in the background of the nativity, or patiently leading a donkey with his wife and child. But we rarely understand his vital role. A role of unquestioning obedience to the Father.

Notice three Scriptures that highlight the vital role he played in the coming of Christ.

And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send [Mary] away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:19-25)

Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel … and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:19-23)

In each case, God spoke to Joseph. Joseph didn’t hesitate or argue but instantly obeyed. His unquestioning responses played a vital role in the redemption of the world.

His instant obedience …

• protected his wife
• protected his son, the baby Jesus, from certain death
• provided a perfect environment for growth in Nazareth

Each step of obedience vindicated God by being the instrument through which God’s prophecies were fulfilled. He joined God in His work and played a vital part.

YOUR OBEDIENCE

What does God want to tell you to do today? Are you in a position to hear? If you aren’t, you must get there if you are to play your part in God’s great, unfolding story.

And, as God directs, do you have a willing heart to obey instantly? Or are you constantly offering God your “better idea?” Do you trust God’s Word and prompting? Do you, like Joseph, “Get up and go?” Do you "lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge God," and let him "direct your paths?" (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Joseph had no idea how vital a role his simple, prompt responses played, and neither will you. But your instant obedience today, and every day, is more important than you realize.

 

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