MATTHEW 2:19-21: “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for d those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”
OBSERVATION: Walking in the will of the Lord is not always a straight line! Most of us begin life with a plan. It is well thought out and goes from point A to B and so on. Then something happens. That something is called “life”. Life is filled with unanticipated twists and turns. This is true in general and it is also true in our walk with Jesus Christ.
Many Christians begin their new found walk of faith much the same way we try to begin life. We have this idea in our mind that if we are following the Lord in sincere obedience we will go from point A to B and so on. What we soon learn is, like in life, our walk of faith is filled with twists and turns along the way. These twists and turns don’t mean that we have “missed” the Lord’s direction. In fact, as with Joseph, they can be the exact leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Joseph went to Bethlehem, only to be turned aside to see his child born in a manger. Living a short time in Bethlehem, and begin warned in a dream about Herod’s evil plot to kill Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt. They lived in Egypt until Herod died and then were directed by the Lord in a dream to return to Israel. On their way to Israel they learned that Herod’s son reigned in his stead, and then were warned to go to the region of Galilee. If you draw this on a map – it is anything but a straight line, and it was all the expressed will of God!
Joseph, like Abraham, obeyed the Lord – even though he did not fully know or understand the full purposes behind the Lord’s direction. The Lord was working on two levels in His direction to Joseph. The first was a practical level, to protect Jesus and the family. The second was a prophetic level, to fulfill all the prophecies that had been spoken of Messiah. In both, through all the twists and turns – Joseph was dead center in the will of God.
Lord, help me to realize that in all the twists and turns of my life that You are present and that You are directing my steps. Forgive me for the times I have not responded to Your direction as Joseph and Abraham did. Help me be swift to hear and quick to obey. Thank you for Your faithfulness in my life. May I rejoice in the journey and anticipate Your destination. In Jesus Name!
