Of the Holy Spirit

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.  – Matthew 1.20-21

Imagine what it must have been like to be Joseph. Everything was going well. We had a lovely young betrothed wife. He had a decent job. Everything was falling into place for a good life.

Then, out of nowhere an angel appears. Okay, that’s a bit unusual, but then the angel speaks: ‘Don’t be afraid. Your betrothed wife is indeed going to have a baby. But this is the work of the Holy Spirit.’

This was a big ask. Trust that Mary’s pregnancy is the work of the Holy Spirit and obey me by taking her as your wife and treating the baby and your son. Call Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.

But Joseph did it. That challenges my own heart. How many times does God ask us to trust the work of the Holy Spirit is situations that make no sense to us? I don’t know about anyone else, but that is a common occurrence. It doesn’t appear that Joseph balked – he just did it.

When God asks us to do the impossible or trust Him in impossible situations or be faithful is situations that seem to be difficult are we willing to trust what He says and obey Him? Or do we rely on our own logic and reasoning and insist on our way.

Lord, I need Joseph’s faith. Help me to remember that God is at work in my life just as He was in Joseph’s. Help me to trust and obey.