The Leadership of the Spirit

Acts 16:6-10; Rom. 8:14 

To whom do you turn for daily guidance in how to live your life, what to do, where to go, whom to see, how to make decisions and choices? The Scriptures tell us of the most effective Guide. He is the only One who knows our past completely from the moment we were conceived to this present day, knows our future completely, from this day extending into eternity, and knows God’s plan and purpose for us today and each day of our lives. The Holy Spirit offers us excellent leadership for living.

Why Do We Need the Spirit’s Guidance when making decisions?  

Jeremiah 10:23, O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  

God is committed to guiding His people into His will.

Psalm 32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Proverbs 16:1, The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

The Holy Spirit guides Christians by putting it in our hearts and minds to do His will and by providentially governing our circumstances. Discovering God’s will is not meant to be mysterious and elusive, a “guessing game,” nor does it require hearing an audible voice. The Spirit is able to lead us by different means (Pr. 20:24).

After the Lord Jesus went back to Heaven, He communicated His will to believers in several ways, through Scripture, visions, prophets, counselors, and circumstances. Since the Bible is complete, God will not use all of these various means today, but He still leads His people into all His will. God will also show you if you should marry Jane or George, go to this college or that university, take that job or this position, relocate to this state or another country, buy that kind of car, move to this home in that neighborhood, and so on.

The Spirit leads submissive believers through the use of the Bible, fasting and prayer, godly counsel, and our circumstances.

Message:

I. Look to the Primary Methods the Spirit Uses to Help Us Make Decisions.

A. Consult the Wisdom of God’s Word (Acts 16:9-10).

1.  GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD.

The easiest way He leads is through Scripture. The Holy Spirit may make a passage of the Bible known to us, and that may lead us or guide us.

            A. Expect God to lead you to the Word and through the Word.

John 16:13-14, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

B. Trust the Spirit to teach the Word and make much of Christ.  A Spirit-taught believer will make much of Jesus Christ as a normal course of life; they will hold Him high in their estimations, trust Him implicitly, preach Him enthusiastically, and adore Him absolutely.

C. Ask Him for a Scriptural Basis or a Specific Passage For Your Needs. Look for New Testament commands especially (1Thess. 5:12-22; Eph. 4:20-32; Rom. 12:9-21). Work on sensing God’s commands.

2. GOD’S WORD OFTEN PRESENTS PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY.

A principle is a general guideline that helps us live God’s will.  There may not be a direct commandment nor and explicit statement on the matter of consideration. But there is always a principle we can apply to make right decisions. Consider the following verses as they apply to decision-making regarding (Tattoos, nose rings, marriage, weekend trips, the purchase of a boat, a vacation to Hawaii, home remodeling project, ect).

           A.  Does It Bring Glory to God?  

1 Cor. 10:31, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

           B. Can We Thank God For it in Jesus Name? 

Ephes. 5:20, Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

           C.  Can We Do It in Jesus Name With His Blessings?   

Col. 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

           D.  Does It Engender Anxiety or Do I Have God’s Special Peace?

Philip. 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1. Feelings should be considered last. They are important, but they also can be deceptive. Negative emotions may represent purely psychological struggles. Any difficult decision creates anxious, if not painful, feelings. Imagine what would have happened if Jesus had paid attention to His feelings when He was praying in the Garden? Crucifixion is deadly painful! But in spite of His strong negative emotions, He did the will of God.

           2. On the other hand, positive emotions may simply mean this is something we want to do! This is why feelings must always be tested and evaluated by what God says in His Word.

           3. If you can answer yes to these questions about a decision or choice you are about to make, you are making your decision within the principles of God’s Word: Will God be glorified in this? Can I give thanks to God for this? Can I do this in the name of Jesus, fully expecting His blessing, His provision, and His stamp of approval? When I pray about this, do I sense God's peace in my heart?

We must not simply expect life to just happen. No, live responsibly executing the will of God. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we should not even hint at living independent of God.  He has a way of reminding us that He is essential to life. It is far better to submissively yield, and pursue His plan for us.

B.  Allow the Spirit to Work in Your Heart, Desires, and Motives (Acts 16:6-7).

We don’t know how the Holy Spirit told Paul that he and his companions should not go into Asia (Acts 16:6). It may have been through a prophet, a vision, an inner conviction, or some other circumstance. But, we can be sure the Spirit of God led him and did indeed work in their hearts (Prov. 16:1).

1. GOD’S SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN YOU.

Philip. 2:13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

   A.  God Helps Us to Know His Will.   Phil.2:13 (Col. 1:9-12)

1.      How to know the will of God can be one of the great challenges of the Christian life, and often one of the

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1.      great frustrations of the young Christian.

a.       God does want us to seek Him even about the details of our lives and even the smaller decisions we make.  

b.      But, God may not give specific and pinpoint guidance from His Word in every little nit picky consideration especially when He has addressed it indirectly by general Bible guidelines.  

2.      We can, however, frequently, prayerfully, and sincerely ask the Lord for a wise and understanding heart regarding specific decisions and responsibilities (1Kg. 3:7-12).

3.      1 Kings 3:8-10, And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. [9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

   B.  God's Will Is Always Transformation (Rom. 12:1-2).

He wants us to “be” the right kind of people. If we are the right kind of people, God will find it easy to lead us to do whatever He wants us to do. Typically, however, we are preoccupied with what God wants us to do, uncomfortable just being the kind of person God wants us to be, and resting in His sovereignty to determine what we should do.

   C.  God Provides Guidance By His Spirit!

Nevertheless, the Bible does indicate that God will lead us and guide us, even though we may not feel led or guided. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Galatians 5:16, 18 reads, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  Then we read, But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” So we see that we are led by the Spirit, or can be, but how? What does that mean?

2. GOD’S SPIRIT WANTS TO MAKE DEEP IMPRESSIONS IN US.

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

A.     Frequently, Trust God to Plant Inclinations, Thoughts, and Desires In Our Mind To Guide Us.

a.       This is the most subjective and the most dangerous, because it is often difficult to know whether something in our head is our own personal desire, or perhaps even a deception by the evil one. (You will know them by their fruit, Matt 7:16, 20; 12:33; Jn 10:10; 1Jn 4:1)

b.      In such a case, it is helpful simply to retrace the above principles. Also remember by the integrity and righteousness of the upright we will secure God’s guidance (Prov. 11:3, 5).  Sometimes we make decisions based on the godly character God has developed in us.

B.     Frequently Appeal to the Spirit for Guidance Throughout the Day.

1.      As we walk in the Spirit daily, surrendered to His power, we have the right and privilege to expect anything we need to hear from God. The Holy Spirit living within us and speaking to us ought to be the natural lifestyle of believers. We claim His presence, direction, and guidance by faith.

2.      One of the lines of the Lord's Prayer points toward our daily reliance on the Holy Spirit: “And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Lk. 11:4).  I believe that is how the Holy Spirit guides us in an ongoing way each day. He speaks in our hearts a no to everything that would bring us harm, and thus, He delivers us from evil and away from temptation. He also speaks in our hearts a yes to everything that will bring us blessing.

C.  Devote Yourself To Prayer And Fasting for Direction.

Psalm 5:8, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.   

Psalm 25:4, Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.  (See also Daniel 2:22; Acts 13:1-3) 

  

            1. The Purpose and the Benefits of Fasting are Spiritual Guidance and Power. Matt. 6:16-18

Jesus fasted and prayed for forty days in the wilderness, and the end result was that He was perfected for ministry (Matt. 4:1–2, 11). Queen Esther fasted and prayed for three days, and the end result was that she was stripped of the fear that kept her from telling the king about the evil plot against her life and the lives of her people (See Est. 4:15–16).

           2.   The Proper Use of Prayer and Fasting.  Matt. 6:16-18

a.       Fasting enables us to bring the body and soul into subjection so that in prayer, a person is focused solely on God and His plans and purposes for that person’s life.

b.      There are times, when God asks us to set aside our natural desires and appetites and concentrate solely on the spiritual dimension of our being. True fasting goes beyond skipping a meal or denying ourselves food for a period of time. It is a turning away from and a willful denying of all natural human desires and appetites so we might concentrate solely on the Lord and what He wants to say to us or accomplish in our lives.

c.       When we are in this spiritual state—completely yielded and submitted, totally humble before Him and reliant upon Him—God can guide us like arrows to accomplish His will. He then can do the real transforming work in our inner spirit that causes us to speak and act more like Jesus Christ.

II. Trust the Spirit to Use Counselors and Work in Your Circumstances.

A.  He Gives Guidance Through Spiritual Counselors.

Proverbs teaches that there is safety in the multitude of counselors. It takes a brave or foolish person to go counter to an abundance of solid, wise counsel.

Proverbs 11:14, Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.   

Proverbs 24:6, For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

     1.  Does your Potential Counselor Qualify to Give Spiritual Guidance?  

The option to turn to other Believers for Advice is one more advantage we have in decision-making!  

Psalm 1:1, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

A. Note Some Preparations: Identify your counselors before you need their advice.  Like the president, select your cabinet members in advance and ensure they are fit counselors.  You don’t need 20, perhaps five capable individuals will be enough. 

B. Note Some Considerations: We have Christians around us who love us and desire the best for us.  Christians who have a fear of God and respect for the Scriptures, people of conviction and not convenience.  Folks who obviously love God, and have an outstanding testimony are your primary considerations. People of prayer, who sacrifice for the Lord and His church, who love the Lord, other Christians, the Bible, Preaching, and sound teaching are good options.  (Col. 3:16; Heb. 10:24; 3:13)

C. Note Some Cautions: Moms and Dads may not fit this description; your best friends may not fit this description, and people you are fascinated with may not fit this description. A Psychiatrist or Counselor may not fit this description. If they do not fit this description of a spiritually healthy believer, then the advice you receive could be spiritually unhealthy for you.

     

     2.  Beware of Christians Who Care More about How You Feel Toward Them Then They Do the Truth.  When we turn to people for advice, we must be aware that in many cases, they will tell us only what they think we want to hear. They likely desire to make us feel good so we will like them more, which in turn makes them feel good. If you seek advice from another person, get advice that is honest, true to God's Word, and without ulterior motive.

                              

     3.  Consider Christians Who Are Successful In the Areas You Require Insight.  Certainly Godly Christians will be honest and able to share pros and cons with you. 

        A.  Finances.  Consult with people who manage their financial life well, whom God is obviously number one in their lives (Matt. 6:24, 33; 1Tim. 6:6-11). 

        B.  Parenting. Turn to good parents who understand their responsibility to God (Eph. 6:1-4; Ps. 127).  Consult with parents who recognize the importance of Instruction, Training, Correction, and Discipline (Deut. 6:4-7; Prov. 20:7; 22:6; Eph. 6:1-4; 2Tim 3:16-17).

        C.  Marriage. Consult with Christian Couples who understand that marriages must be based on Gen. 2:18-25; Eph. 5:21-33 and good Christian Character (Col. 3:18-19).

        D.  Separation. For Christian Living matters consult with Believers who understand the difference between moral and amoral issues (1Cor. 6:9-20; 2Cor. 6:14-18).

        E.  Devotion. For insight on your devotional life, talk with Believers who enjoy the Bible consistently and love the Word of God.  Avoid those who only bring their Bibles to church, but never read it any other time (Hab. 2:1; Matt. 7:24-27; 2Tim. 2:15).  Be sure to avoid those who have great knowledge, but no discipline to live the truth— false teachers (2 Pet. 2:12-19).

B. He Gives Guidance In Our Circumstances.

Of course, another way God leads is by providentially governed circumstances. If circumstances prohibit you from doing something, you know it is not the will of God. He is not leading you into someplace where He makes it impossible to go. Consideration of circumstances is not primary, but it is still a means God uses to show us His way in a given decision.

      1. A Biblical Illustration.

Acts 16:6, Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Romans 1:13, Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. (See also Rom. 1:10; 15:20-29; 1 Thes. 2:15-18; 1 Cor. 4:17-21)

      2.  A Biblical Declaration.

The leaders of the early church relied on the Holy Spirit to give them this kind of specific, personal guidance, and we are wise to do likewise. Both Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:18 refer to our being “led by the Spirit.” This is considered to be the norm of the Christian life.

      3.  A Practical Examination.

We must ask ourselves the following Questions: “Does it make good sense?” “Is it logical and rational?”  “How will this decision affect my family?”  How will it affect us spiritually?  Will we continue to Mature in the Lord?”  “What are the advantages and disadvantages?”

Circumstances should not be the sole basis for your decision, but they are important in determining God’s will. Circumstances can sometimes offer the information we need to better understand God’s will.  Sometimes God wants us to maneuver around our circumstances, and yet other times he wants us to stand still and see what He will do for us. He always wants us to consult with Him. God can even lead us on issues where the scriptures are silent.

Be very careful when looking at the circumstances when making decisions. We still walk by faith and not by sight. This is what the Lord requires and it is pleasing to Him (Heb. 11:6). Just because it seems bigger, better, faster, more prestigious, more beneficial financially, or even illogical does not necessarily or automatically mean that it is God’s will.

When we knew that God wanted us to go back to Germany as missionaries we sought out counsel from missionaries and pastors in Germany to better understand the need for Military churches. Germany had experienced a great draw down and we knew that the need was not as great as before. It didn’t make complete sense to us to pursue a ministry to Germany. We needed counsel.  We talk to former missionaries to Germany, and we even planned a survey trip and talked to the preachers there in country, and God basically confirmed his calling upon our lives through good sound counselors in spite of apparent conflicting circumstances.

Conclusion:

God does guide—sometimes through an inner conviction, sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through Scripture or godly counsel. But sometimes we don't have any sense of being led or guided. That does not mean we aren't. It means we are free to make a choice in the Lord. 

When seeking God's will, (1) make sure your plan is in harmony with God’s Word; (2) ask mature Christians for their advice; (3) check your own motives -- are you seeking to do what you want, or what you think God wants? -- and (4) pray for God to open and close the doors as He desires.

The Birth of The Messiah King

 

MATTHEW 1:18-25

Jesus Messiah is the virgin born Son of God.  In this incredible passage, Matthew relates the story behind Jesus’ birth, and how God overruled all actions threatening to thwart or skew His plan for our salvation. This Christmas story affords us many reasons to rekindle hope during this season of the year. 

Think for a moment about the term "providence." Providence refers to God's protective and provisional care of all creation.  It is His fascinating work behind the scenes, through angels, and people, regardless of the circumstances. He masterfully governs the universe providentially! He is still able to insert Himself or intervene in meaningful ways today. In fact it is His involvement and presence that gives us real reason to hope. Additionally, by this incredible passage we are assured that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, legal heir to the throne of David, and God’s promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Him. Beloved, this chapter in Matthew accounts for the birth of the Messiah King, Jesus The Lord of Glory. 

Matthew judicially lays before us the foundational proofs that Jesus Christ is indeed the Messiah-King.  He gives us his background, and heritage.  Since Messiah is a divine king, it is needful to demonstrate both his humanity and deity. Matthew anticipated this requirement and opened his Gospel with a careful account of the birth of Jesus Christ and the events that accompanied it. Beloved, this is real history! He presented two vital facts about the King, his human heritage (Matt. 1:1–17) as well as His divine heritage (Matt. 1:18–25). Since royalty depends on heritage, it was vital to establish the Lord Jesus’ rights to David’s throne as the Messiah-King Son of God (Wiersbe).

Furthermore, in this account we find not only a miraculous conception, but also an equally astonishing divine intervention. Yes, God involved Himself and His resources! This is shocking to a generation who characteristically does not "get involved" with other people's business! God's initiatives provide a rich source of instruction about our participating in the providential plan of God.  

Have you ever regret making a decision? If you are anything like me, then you have fervently wished that someone had warned you differently on more than one occasion!  Well, Joseph came real close to abandoning God’s plan for him, but God in his wisdom and providence prevented the grave mistake. Yes, God is a Master at intervention; He influences the outcomes in this account.  Actually He is continually actively perennially governing and preserving all facets of His universe. God guides and compels the cosmos to dance to His music and march to the beat of His drums! He exercises absolute lordship over His creation: everyone and everything depends on Him as the Creator-Sustainer. Because we believe in an all wise, all-powerful, and benevolent God of providence, we reject the ideas of chance, fate, coincidence, fatalism, nihilism, or luck as governors of our lives or futures. This same awesome God desires to direct and include us in the execution of His will—we are people of His destiny.  Joseph’s experience in this account illustrates one possible way all of this can unfold. First, notice...

Matthew’s Declaration of Christ’s Unique Birth (Matt. 1:18)

The facts surrounding this miraculous conception and birth are stated with dignity and simplicity.

The Circumstances Surrounding His Birth (Matt. 1:18)

The Messiah’s Divine Heritage Needed To Be Explained (Matt. 1:18). “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise” that is it was different from any of the births mentioned in the family tree previously referenced. This birth was so terrifically unique that it needed to be explained! 

The Messiah Was Born of a Virgin Woman Only.   Matthew 1:16 and 18 make it clear that Jesus Christ’s birth was different from that of any other person ever. Joseph was the “husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Jesus was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father. This is known as the doctrine of the Virgin Birth. Matthew was pointing out that Joseph did not “beget” Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4; Gen 3:15). Repeatedly we find the formula: “A begot B.” But now we have the record of a birth without a human father (MacDonald).  Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God (Phil. 2:5-8)!

The Messiah’s Mother Was Only Espoused to Joseph (Matt. 1:18). No doubt Joseph anticipated all the workings of Hebrew marriage customs. Their marriage was arranged by their parents, and contracts had been negotiated. Since then, they have been considered married and were called husband and wife. It was not time for them to begin to live together, however. Instead, Mary continued to live with her parents and Joseph with his for one year. During this waiting period Mary would demonstrate her faithfulness and purity.  After this Joseph would go to the house of Mary’s parents and in a grand processional march lead his bride back to his home. There they would begin to share a home as husband and wife and physically consummate their marriage. At this point in the text they were only espoused. It relates to our modern engagement.

The Condition of Mary was Discovered by Joseph (Matt. 1:18).

During the waiting period of her betrothal, however, Mary was found to be with child. During this time, the young virgin Mary became pregnant by a miracle of the Holy Ghost. “She was found with child of the Holy Ghost…” An angel had previously announced this mysterious event to Mary in Luke 1:35. Joseph discovered His bride to be was with child! 

The Holy Spirit Crafted and Engineered Jesus’ Conception (Luke 1:26-35).

The Message—in Luke 1:26-31, the angel Gabriel visited a young Jewish virgin named Mary. He told her she would be having a Son. Mary’s obvious question was, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”  Though she believed the promise, she did not understand the performance. How could a virgin give birth to a child? (MacDonald)

The Miracle—to answer her, Gabriel spoke some of the most amazing words ever heard by the human ear: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35). What an out of this world fantastic statement! 

First, Gabriel explained that this would be a miracle, the work of the Holy Spirit of God. Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, would not be the father of the child (Matt. 1:18–25), even though Jesus would be legally identified as the son of Joseph (Luke 3:23; 4:22; John 1:45; 6:42). Gabriel was careful to point out that the Baby would be a “holy thing” and would not share the sinful human nature of man. Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21), “He did no sin” (1 Peter 2:22), and “in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). His body was prepared for Him by the Spirit of God (Heb. 10:5) who “overshadowed” Mary. That word is applied to the presence of God in the holy of holies in the Jewish tabernacle and temple (Ex. 40:35). Mary’s womb became a holy of holies for the Son of God! (The Bible Exposition Commentary)

What An Amazing And Touching Scene! An unknown Jewish virgin girl becomes the earthly mother of Jesus Christ, The Lord of Glory, by the miraculous conception of the Holy Spirit.

God Took on a Human Nature. Again the Holy Spirit creatively brought about the physical conception of the Lord Jesus (Luke 1:35). Mary’s Son would be God manifest in the flesh.  No language can elucidate, explain, enlighten, nor explicate the mystery that is shrouded here. This miraculous conception and Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ was necessary because of His divine nature and preexistence (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Gal. 4:4). From this astonishing beginning, to the bittersweet end, the Holy Spirit was active in and through the life of The Lord Jesus.

But Mortal Man Ignored Christ Incarnation.  People have a hard time appreciating the truly spiritual and the unique holiness of this splendidly supernatural phenomena (1Cor. 2:11-16).  They can only criticize, speculate, discredit, bark at, and cast doubt! Likewise, a cloud of suspicion and scandal hung over Mary. In all of human history there had never been a virgin birth. When people saw an unwed woman who was with child, they had only one possible explanation.  Every child born into the world is a totally new creature. But, Jesus Christ, being the eternal God (John 1:1, 14), existed before Mary, Joseph, and any of His earthly ancestors. There is no human explanation for our Savior's birth; why not accept this divine one!

It is Still Correct to Believe in the True and Living God Who is Skilled in Miracle Making (Luke 1:37; Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:17, 27; Matt. 19:26; Phil. 3:21). While God is NOT obligated to give miracles just because we want them badly, He is delighted to fire off a few to advance His awesome will!  Since God is able and willing to perform the inexplicable we have hope in every situation in life.  We never face a single day without the hope He inspires by His very presence and providential involvement. God insert Himself in our situations still! Do need some of His providential involvement? 

Joseph’s Distress about Mary’s Pregnancy (Matt. 1:19)

As any of us would expect, Joseph was perplexed, confused, distressed, and broken-hearted. Certainly he felt alone, betrayed, and vexed with this development initially. He felt exactly like we have felt after losing the affections of someone we loved deeply. His heart was broken and his dreams for them were shattered into a trillion irreparable pieces! 

He Felt Betrayed and Deeply Hurt (Matt. 1:19)

He Thought a Trust Had Been Broken.  Understand Joseph is heartbroken, assuming his pregnant wife-to-be has been unfaithful. In reality they had never engaged in marital relations and Mary had been faithful (Matt. 1:20, 23).

He Felt His Plans were For Ever Lost.  One can only imagine how confused, perplexed, hurt, and possibly angry he must have been. He genuinely loved Mary, and yet the word came that she was expecting. His dreams, goals, and plans for them were ruined and shattered! The sharpness of this apparent gross violation had been thrust through His aching soul! 

He Assumed The Worst Case Scenario! Joseph was planning to act on a faulty assumption! Though it is difficult, we must resist the temptation to jump to conclusions, get the whole story, wait and observe with fairness and discretion, remember to use objectivity, and make wise decisions free of emotional confusion (Prov. 18:13; Duet. 13:12-14; Jn. 7:51). Avoid making emotionally charged and hasty decisions. They almost always abandon God's will and plan for us!

He Decided to Reject and Put Mary Away (Matt. 1:19)

He Wanted to Act Discreetly. Not wanting to disgrace Mary, he determines to break their engagement secretly. To the Jewish people in that day, betrothal (engagement) was equivalent to marriage—except that the man and woman did not live together. They were called “husband and wife,” and, at the end of the engagement period, the marriage was consummated. His love for Mary and desire for justice led him to decide to break the betrothal by a quiet divorce. If a betrothed woman became pregnant, it was considered adultery (see Deut. 22:13–21). Unfaithfulness on the part of the betrothed was punishable by death. 

But, should not Joseph look up to God before he leap? Joseph, does your life plan correspond to God’s plan? It would be wise to seek God and wait for His direction before making a hasty decision (Ps. 27:14; 37:34; Prov. 20:22).

Waiting is Never Easy; especially when we feel pressured to make a decision. Some argue that we figure out what the loving thing to do is—and simply do it. But is it safe or right to act without a sense of acting in God’s will?

·                    Abraham could not wait for God to keep His promise of a son, and the result is the Arab/Israeli hostility that even today tears the Holy Land apart.

·                    Jacob chose to lie to obtain a blessing already promised him, and spent years separated from his family.

·                    The impetuous Peter was often rebuked by the Lord for his hasty actions.

·                    Even godly people like Peter and King Josiah can and do run ahead of God. How important that we learn to rely on the Lord, and wait prayerfully and confidently for His timing.

Should not we all thank God for His wisdom not only in planning good for us, but in knowing just how and when to bring that good to pass.

He Tried to Balance Fairness and Compassion (Matt. 1:19)

He Felt Divorcing Her Was a Just Decision (Justice). Accordingly, “being a just man” Joseph possessed a strong sense of right and wrong! Joseph did not yet know the true explanation of Mary’s condition. He might have been indignant at his fiancée on two counts: First, her apparent unfaithfulness to him; and second, though innocent, he would almost inevitably be accused of improper involvement. People would naturally imply He was involved somehow. 

Joseph keen sense of justice and right-ness raises a noteworthy emphasis here. We need more believers with a strong sense of “right and wrong” in our day of ultra tolerance for sin and wickedness. Genesis 6:9, These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Mark 6:20, For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Luke 2:25, And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. It is clear that he had not been involved in an unrighteous sexual relationship.  To Joseph that was definitely wrong behavior!

He Felt Preserving Her Was A Compassionate Decision (Mercy)—“not willing to make her a public example”. He wished to avoid the public disgrace which normally accompanied such an action.  He chose not to create a public scandal by exposing her condition to the judges at the city gate. Such an act could have resulted in Mary’s death by stoning (Deut. 22:23-24). His love for her enabled him to shield and protect her in spite of the pain in his own heart. This demonstrated how big this MAN Joseph was. There is no wonder why God trusted him with raising Jesus His Son! 

Christ is the Best Model of the Husband’s Role as Protector.  Ephes. 5:23, For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Consider what Barnes said regarding this peculiar statement.

“The idea here seems to be, that as Christ gave himself to save his body, the church; as he practiced self-denial and made it an object of intense solicitude [consideration] to preserve that church, so ought the husband to manifest a similar solicitude [care] to make his wife happy, and to save her from want, affliction, and pain. He ought to regard himself as her natural protector; as bound to anticipate and provide for her needs; as under obligation to comfort her in trial, even as Christ does the church. What a beautiful illustration of the spirit which a husband should manifest is the care which Christ has shown for his "bride," the church!”—Barnes’ Notes

In addition, Matthew Henry records,

“Christ's authority is exercised over the church for the saving of her from evil, and the supplying of her with everything good for her. In like manner should the husband be employed for the protection and comfort of his spouse; and therefore she should the more cheerfully submit herself unto him. So it follows, Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ (v. 24), with cheerfulness, with fidelity, with humility, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything-in everything to which their authority justly extends itself, in everything lawful and consistent with duty to God.” –Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible

What good wife, would not appreciate a godly man who protects her and looks out for her highest interest?!

But, Joseph Was Running Ahead of God and Leaving His Will.

All Of Us Have Hopes, Dreams, And Plans! The Bible never discourages us from looking to the future with bright expectations in Christ Jesus. However, passages like James 4:13–17, enforce a crucial qualification.  James 4:13-17, Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: ¹⁴ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ¹⁵ For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. ¹⁶ But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. ¹⁷ Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. As we make our plans, whether in business, in relationships, or in our personal lives, we must do so with a perspective on who is ultimately in charge—God! In other words, we need to plan with an attitude of humility and deference to the will of God (The Handbook of Bible Applications).

Our Tendency As Humans Is To Seek Control Over Our Circumstances. Certainly the Bible encourages us to take responsibility for our lives (1Thess. 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:12). But even so, we must ultimately submit to the sovereignty of God. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah likens us to clay in the hands of a potter; the divine Craftsman can do with us as He wishes (Is. 64:8; 1 Cor. 12:15–18). As a result, we need to submit every intention to God—even our business proposals and plans. He may allow us to proceed according to our desires; or He may decide to alter our plans according to His own purposes. In either case, we need to accept what He decides to bring into our lives, without arguing and complaining (Rom. 9:20–21; Phil. 2:13–14). Yield control to God; He really does know what He is doing! 

The result: tremendous peace! We can feel confident that an infinitely wise, powerful, and good God ultimately controls our lives and our world. Of course, that does not mean that life will always go the way we want. Sometimes, from our human perspective, it will seem unfair, maybe even absurd. Nevertheless, God rules the world. Humility demands that we acknowledge and accept what He allows to happen in it. Who’s in Charge Here? Always remember God is in total control (Rom. 8:28).

We Must Constantly Guard Against Jumping Ahead of God.  Running ahead never ceases to be a concern for the Christian in his or her walk with God. Each of us must diligently examine our motivations before we act. By cultivating an attitude of patient waiting, and looking to the Lord for guidance, we can give God control over the direction of our lives (The Handbook of Bible Applications).

Yet sometimes we come to feel lost and separated from God. At such times, we may long for the Lord to reveal Himself to us. Fortunately, our God is a loving God. Even when we stray, we need not fear permanent separation from God’s guiding hand. Our Good Shepherd will search for us like the lamb who strayed, and bring us back into His fold. And when He does, our sense of isolation will give way to the comfort and wonder of His presence. In history, God drew people to Himself through very personal encounters with Himself. What is it like to encounter God? How can we more fully experience the fellowship of the Lord? It may be time for a fresh encounter with the living God in accordance with the wisdom of the Apostle John (1 John 1:1-10).

The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth!

Dear Believer in Christ, 

Even when everything wrong, evil, and unfortunate seem to be driving the course of what use to be your life completely out of control, do not believe it. I am not asking you to disregard the natural evidence appealing so strongly to your rational faculties. Looking at the situation logically will convince you of the reality of your chaos—real faith has a strong perception of natural reality. It is not wise to stick our heads in the proverbial hole in the ground merely pretending everything is alright. What I am asking you to realize is that your mental faculties only give you part of the information you need to function. As a child of God, you have a capability called faith, and confidence in God enables you to realize the “substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Many times we have to believe God’s Word instead of our minds, eyes, ears, and experiences.

If you have lost your grip on reality and your situation has deteriorated far beyond your most frightening imaginations, there remains a steady and sovereign governing Hand (Rom. 8:18-39). If you can no longer hold it all together, hope is not lost because of this development. Triumph never really depended on your ability to hold on to God, but His ability to hold on to you (1 Pet. 1:4-9). God even affords His people strength to endure under tremendous pressure with a steadfast confidence in His wise, loving, and strengthening orchestrations. Ask God to reinforce your grip on spiritual reality—perceiving His Presence and Providence in the midst of whatever frightens you most (Matt. 6:24-34).

When you are afraid to let go of your fears because it appears your fears are all you have left, place your hands in His nail-scarred Hands. Remember the spirit of fear, intimidation, and panic did not come from God. No, He gives His people power, love, and a sound mind instead (2 Tim. 1:7).  With the promise of Jesus’ own special brand of peace, He charges His followers to “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).  He also requires His disciples to “let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me [Jesus]” (John 14:1). Clearly, the Lord Jesus prescribes faith as the antidote for fear, and faith is developed through listening to God’s Word (Rom. 10:17) and standing on God's statements. The Lord's promise to your and my heart of hearts is that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5); "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME" (Heb. 13:6). Recall His encouragement to Joshua immediately after Moses' death, "Be strong and of a good courage" (Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18). So, accept the fact that fear is not an option, but God’s peace certainly is! 
Peace in this sense is not the absence of war, conflict, challenges, noise, or difficulties.Peace is calmness and quietness deep within our heart and mind. Peace is again a gift of Christ. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The Lord Jesus gives to trusting Believers this inner repose and spiritual quietness of soul, even in the face of adverse circumstances.  Through the Holy Spirit the human spirit it placed at ease to such a degree that His work defies human understanding or explanation (Phil. 4:7).  This is often described as the “peace of God” in several well-known passages (Phil. 4:7; Col. 3:15). Peace can also be described as the absence of anxiety and the presence of trusting assurance in the promises of God. The Spirit of God resists our natural tendency to worry and become anxious. God does not always change the situation around us, but He is always seeking to change the situation deep within us. The climate of the soul is just as important as the conditions of the saint. The environment within is the priority concern. Christians can know peace even when something we were counting on does not come through or work out in the anticipated timing. After all, God is still very much on His throne.

  It is important to further clarify how we can know and experience the "Peace of God." Peace is communicated into our experience when we believe the promise of God and rest in His wisdom, power, grace, and love. It is through our faith that God's special peace is realize. The stronger our trust in God and His promises, the more potent the peace residing in the soul. To have stronger faith requires greater concentration on the Scriptures. We simply must believe something God actually said to us in the Word of God. Peace is not realize as we choose to believe what we want! It is faith in God and His Word only! Genuine faith will usher in genuine peace in the soul--an extraordinary freedom from anxiety, worry, and concern! There is only One LORD who wields the scepter of the universe and He does not share authority with the evil tyrants you are presently facing! You are right to believe Him regardless of whatever else is happening. 

The LORD God reigns supremely and He is absolutely worthy of your and my confidence.  He is Jesus Christ who fed the hungry, gave sight to the blind, ran demons out of town, calmed stormy seas, and lifted the dead to life again. He is eloquent and completely fluent when it comes to navigating and handling challenges, difficulties, and hardness.  The same God, who created the universe, purchased redemption, sustains everything by His providence, and cares for you personally is immediately at work on your behalf. That mighty Lord Jesus who single-handedly defeated death, hell, and the grave through His death for our sins, and resurrection for our justification must remain in focus. Handling BIG problems is not new for our Lord; His resume is jam packed with impossible situations that evaporated in His very Presence and at His authoritative command. Understand that He wields full omnipotence well within the circumference of His prerogatives. What I am asking you to do is believe that The LORD God still reigns, and He is not taking resumes in anticipation of His retirement. The Lord Jesus rules!