JOSEPH – A MAN OF OBEDIENCE

The Christmas narrative about Joseph, not only tells us that he was a just man, but also an obedient man. Obedience, as we know, can be out of fear of retribution, or out of willing surrender of ourselves, because of love.

For the fallen man, obedience doesn’t come automatically. A whole lot of things have to be in place before we display obedience. One has to be convicted in the heart, then convinced about it to do something, and then willingly give our allegiance to someone, out of love. Only then obedience is visible.

We see Joseph not only being just, but when instructed by an angel in his dream, Joseph immediately and unquestioningly accepted Mary…
“24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:” – Matthew 1:24.

No wonder prophet Samuel, speaking for YAHWEH has these words for obedience…
“22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…” – Samuel 15:22-23

Let us learn to be quick and willing to obey the LORD. Wherever we may be failing, let us quickly and honestly bring them before the LORD, to seek His help. May the LORD grant us His grace to live obediently lives for Him.