20 - Advent
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 20 | GOD GUIDES JOSEPH
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 20 | GOD GUIDES JOSEPH
GOD GUIDES JOSEPH
Matthew 2:13-15
“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”
The Bible is the story of human history and God’s work in it. The birth of Jesus fulfilled MANY prophecies in the Old Testament, predicted hundreds of years before He was born. There are also numerous prophecies concerning His life, death, and resurrection.
Once again, we here see Joseph – the unsung hero of our Christmas story – being warned and then obeying the angel of the LORD and taking Mary and Jesus out of country to Egypt.
Joseph is never quoted in the Scriptures, but like Mary, he was a good Jew. He also recognized the voice of God and several times we see him obeying God’s guidance given through an angel.
Today, there are multiple ways in which God can talk to and guide us. He talks through His WORD (aka the Bible). Since God doesn’t change, His Word is gold for we who believe and trust Him. He can also talk through His Spirit, His angels, and sometimes through other mature believers in Christ.
But note this… No guidance from the LORD will ever contradict His already spoken WORD. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Prayer: LORD, help me to recognize the guidance YOU supply to me. I am thankful. Help me to obey YOU and always follow where you lead. Amen.
Matthew 2:13-15
“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”
The Bible is the story of human history and God’s work in it. The birth of Jesus fulfilled MANY prophecies in the Old Testament, predicted hundreds of years before He was born. There are also numerous prophecies concerning His life, death, and resurrection.
Once again, we here see Joseph – the unsung hero of our Christmas story – being warned and then obeying the angel of the LORD and taking Mary and Jesus out of country to Egypt.
Joseph is never quoted in the Scriptures, but like Mary, he was a good Jew. He also recognized the voice of God and several times we see him obeying God’s guidance given through an angel.
Today, there are multiple ways in which God can talk to and guide us. He talks through His WORD (aka the Bible). Since God doesn’t change, His Word is gold for we who believe and trust Him. He can also talk through His Spirit, His angels, and sometimes through other mature believers in Christ.
But note this… No guidance from the LORD will ever contradict His already spoken WORD. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Prayer: LORD, help me to recognize the guidance YOU supply to me. I am thankful. Help me to obey YOU and always follow where you lead. Amen.