After Herod died, 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 to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2:19-23 (NIV)
In the above scriptures, Joseph was afraid to follow divine instruction due to the fear of man. God intervened by sending an angel to warn him in a dream. God provided a way of escape when fear wanted to master Joseph and guide his decision. I believe angels still minister to believers today. My first little one believes angels keep the monsters out of his room and the Christmas season has given us more opportunities to talk about angels. While we may not always see angels in our dreams, the Bible provides divine instructions. I like the Amplified version of 2 Timothy 2:16. It says: All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];
It is unfortunate that the fear of man can keep us from obeying God’s Word or following his instructions. Perhaps Joseph was afraid because he forgot who gave him the instruction to go to Israel. Like Joseph, we often forget that the God who gave us instructions is an all-knowing God and his divine direction is perfect. Even if challenges arise while following God’s direction, we can trust that he knows best and all things will work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Are you afraid to make a biblical decision because you fear that you may lose your job, a relationship, etc.? Please hold the following scriptures in mind:
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? Isaiah 51:12 (NKJV)
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118: (NKJV)
Radical faith overcomes fear. For God has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).
Regarding Jesus, Luke 2:51 (NLT) says, “Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.” Joseph and Mary were responsible for parenting Jesus. They modeled how to train up a child in the way he should go. In this plan, Temi Michael-O shares lessons from Joseph and Mary’s journey to parenthood.
Would you like to become a member of God’s family? Please say the prayer below and let me know about it here.
Say this: Heavenly Father,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe you exist and you sent Jesus to die for me. I receive your love and forgiveness. Reveal yourself to me. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen
Welcome to God’s family!
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