A response to Then Came Jesus by Lara Williams :: Week 2, Day 4

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭19-23‬ NKJV)

Joseph kept getting messages from the Lord, in dreams and from angel no less! Can you imagine!?! When I was reading this yesterday morning I couldn’t help thinking, I wish God would talk to me like that!   And today, as I was writing this post He kinda-sorta did.

This post isn’t my first idea for Week 2, Day 4.  I had written something completely different, something that spoke about the relationship of Mary and Joseph and how they submitted to and obeyed God.  But as I started to edit and proofread that original draft I began to feel a quiet discomfort, something prompting me to take pause and pray about what I was writing.  I kept pressing forward thinking no, this is so good, I’m going to publish this!  But the more I moved forward the more I felt convicted to stop and seek the Lord’s guidance.

So finally I did.

I went back to my journal and as I looked over it I asked God to reveal to me what He wanted me to write about.  As I scanned the page it hit me.

One question that Ms. Williams asked her readers was “What did Joseph do?”  I simply wrote down that he obeyed.  Another question that she later asked was “In what area of your life do you need direction?” I listed several things but at the top of my list was writing and blogging.

I don’t know why God doesn’t want me to post my original thoughts on this passage.  Joseph probably didn’t understand God’s message either.  The last time he was in Israel Herod wanted to kill the Baby in his care. However, Psalm 37:3 tells me to “trust in the Lord.”  Joseph trusted and obeyed the Lord and I am going to follow his example.

I’m going to receive His message — the one He spoke to me about this blog — and obey, even though it may mean I publish something that I don’t think will make much sense to my readers.

I’m going to obey even though I think my first idea had a lot more steak and potatoes.

I’m going to obey because ultimately if I delight in the Lord He will give me the desires of my heart (even if that means my heart needs some changing).

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4 NKJV)

Lord, thank You for speaking to me.  As I read Your word that is what I craved and that is what You gave it to me.  You didn’t have to but You proved Yourself faithful.  You kept your promise — You gave me the desire of my heart.  Thank You.

Are you reading Then Came Jesus or another advent study?  What is God revealing to you?  Please let me know by leaving a comment.  You can also find out more about Lara Williams and her book Then Came Jesus here.