December 10 - On This Wise.

Matthew 1:18
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
 
From the beginning, God knew that His Son would one day be born of a virgin, named Mary.
 
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise…”
This is how God had planned for everything to occur.
 
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that when things do not make sense to us, the Lord has everything under control. He knows and He alone has a plan for how He sees fit to bring His will to pass.
 
Joseph found out about Mary’s condition before he understood the whole story.
 
Matthew 1:19
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”
 
Isn’t his reaction just like we react sometimes?
We often begin to consider what we should do and how to handle a situation before we have all the details. 
 
Matthew 1:20-21
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
 
Just as an angel had appeared unto Mary, the angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph. The angel knew he was fearful to take Mary as his wife and informed him of the great purpose the Lord had for the Son she would bring forth.
 
Matthew 1:24-25
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
 
Joseph displayed patience and grace when he had just cause to refuse to be a part of the Christmas story. 
 
His willingness allowed him to be the one to call His name Jesus. 
He was the first to speak the Name above every name after He was born.
 
Philippians 2:9
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
 
God had chosen him, a carpenter, to be the earthly father of the One Who would one day carry a wooden cross to save His people from their sins.
 
Sometimes we need to be patient as we wait to see God’s amazing plan for our lives unfold according to His will.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Daniel 11-12  |    Psalm 129