Trusting God
Thursday December 18, 2014
Months before their planned wedding, Mary became pregnant. Because Joseph knew that this was not his child, he assumed that Mary had been unfaithful to him. Though he was troubled by the revelation of Mary’s pregnancy and could have harmed her, he made a decision to break off the engagement as quietly as possible. He was a man of mercy and integrity so he chose not to expose her to public disgrace.
God had other plans, however. He sent an angel to explain to Joseph what had taken place with Mary. Because Joseph believed God, his former plans changed. Mary and Joseph's mutual commitment to God and trust in Him served as a foundation upon which their trust in each other could again be established. This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18-20 NIV)
Joseph and Mary were open to God's plan. They believed God and were willing to change their opinions about one another and the circumstances of their lives. In the process they also learned that things are not always what they seem and relationships should not be destroyed by assumptions that are not confirmed with facts. Trust in God is foundational for trust between people. Even though it is challenged, trust can always be rebuilt if God is at the center of the relationship. We have a choice each day to live with faithfulness and integrity in our families, our work relationships and our friendships. We need to continuously filter our perspective about our relationships according to God's word. Are we acting as people of integrity in the relationship? Are we asking God for His guidance and His direction in how we relate to the other person and the decisions we make? Are we willing to offer forgiveness and live in peace with a person as God walks us through a challenge to the relationship?
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