A Christmas Message for the 2012

When Joseph obeyed God (at great cost to himself and Mary) very little seemed to go smoothly. He obeyed exactly but nothing seemed to fall exactly into place…at least first time round. In Matthew 2:21 Joseph obeyed the angel’s instructions and departed for Israel, in v22 he is confronted with a very real danger, was genuinely afraid and had to be directed to Galilee by yet another supernatural intervention.

There are times when doing the right thing seems to raise as many questions and challenges as it does answers. This is when the walk of God really does feel like a step at a time. You are in God’s will, the general direction is definitely right but you only recognize and encounter the difficulties enroute. Christ’s New Year message to you is simple, be faithful…things aren’t all over the place they’re all falling into place. Selah! 

In Matthew 2:23 on their return from Egypt Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus finally settle in Nazareth. In doing so fulfilling the prophecy that Christ would be called a Nazarene. They had been guided to Egypt in the first place to avoid the pending slaughter of all infants 2 years old and younger by King Herod. However, this was the direct fulfillment of prophecy as accounted in Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt have I called my son…”.  

 When you obey God powerful challenges and even enemies may arise but remember there are no re-directions in God. Egypt was planned and so was Nazareth…their lives were not subject to changing circumstances. In fact even when facing mortal danger for the second time (v22) God’s plan for them was perfectly falling into place. Joseph learned that following the dream you have in front of you (v19-20) will one way or the other lead you to the next one (v22) and ultimately to your final destination (v23).

Follow your dream…there are more to come! God does not change strategy according to circumstances. He has a plan, you’re in it and nothing and no one can stop it. Obey your latest instruction because the next one is not far away. Whatever your Herod or Archelaus might be don’t be discouraged for even the difficulties that arise are going to be used by God to get you to exactly the right place at exactly the right time. You are a planned person on a planned journey with a planned destination.