Observation: From the time the Lord declared Mary would have the Messiah, this is the THIRD time Joseph has heard from an angel of the Lord. The first was when he was deciding what to do about the pregnancy and was told to marry Mary and believe what she said about the conception. The second was when he was told to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to evade Herod. Now he is told it is safe to return to Israel. Each time, Joseph obeys.
Joseph is not given a set of complex instructions. He isn't told, for example, to move to a specific city in Egypt and begin a business. He is effectively just given "step 1" every time, and while long-term success in that step may require years of activity, all that complexity is left up to him. God just gives him the basic instruction, and Joseph does it.
Application: I wish I were worthy of some simple instructions. I spend so much time on my own earthly thoughts, driving the Holy Spirit away with my thought life, working mindlessly on earthly tasks that have no eternal purpose, that of course I cannot hear instructions from the Lord.
And the questions I fear to ask myself is ... if I did hear instructions, would I simply obey? I would like to think I would. I like to think I have in the past. However, as I become an older man, less able to act in every way, but perhaps more able to serve in other ways, I would really love some 'step 1' instructions.
Prayer: Lord, here I sit today, declaring I would like to hear from you, when I spend my days with my mind focused everywhere but you. Of course I can't hear you when I don't even try to listen for you. Please forgive me, and please help me to overcome my wayward mind. If I could accomplish one thing this year, it is to grow closer to you in true relationship. And yes, you know the second thing I'd like to accomplish is to get better at golf. However, may the first one of these be sufficient, for it is certainly the only one that endures. Amen.
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