JOSEPH AND MARY were a red-blooded, energetic and youthful pair who, like any other newly espoused Israelite couple, looked forward to enjoying the one-year long honeymoon(Deuteronomy 24:5), complete with the exemptions it offered but suddenly all those expectations were shattered. There wasn’t going to be any honeymoon. Mary was suddenly pregnant contrary to any thing they expected. For Joseph, it was even more shocking because he saw no such thing coming. God hadn’t given him any sign about this whole thing to prepare his mind for it. But what did Joseph do after God confirmed that Mary’s pregnancy was divine? Argue? Murmur? Blame God? Ask God why his marriage plans were ruined? No!
Our anchor scriptures tell us that Joseph took Mary into his home. If they had any plans of holding a marriage feast like the one in Cana, Galilee (John chapter 2) to celebrate with friends and family, they dropped them immediately. They neither rebelled against God nor accuse him.
The second verse of our anchor scriptures tell us that Joseph did not touch Mary all throughout the time she was pregnant with Christ! What a holy conduct!
What lessons can we learn from the pious conduct of Joseph and Mary as shown in our anchor scriptures for today? Here:
1) SUBMISSION TO GOD’S DIVINE WILL
When God chooses to “interrupt” or “disrupt” our well laid out marriage plans, let’s submit to Him.
Did you plan to have four children and God has only given you one and all your prayers and supplications for additional children have not been answered? Don’t murmur, don’t rebel. Submit to God’s will.
Or you desired to have boys and girls but God has given you only girls. Submit to His wisdom because He knows what He is doing. His thoughts towards you are thoughts of good and not of evil.
Perhaps obedience to God’s call to full time ministry in His Vineyard is now taking it’s toll on your marriage and family as the funds necessary for the upkeep of the family aren’t really forthcoming? Don’t be offended with God. Walk in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary; knowing that we shall surely be rewarded both in time and eternity for whatever we forfeited or whatever He kept us from enjoying to the end that His greater purposes might be fulfilled.
2) CONTENTMENT
Joseph and Mary were contented with the kind of marriage and home God wanted them to have. Instead of preparing to nurse their own first biological child, they prepared for a Child divinely sent for them to parent. They were not displeased in any way. Neither did they compare themselves with many whose Marriage plans were not disrupted.
Similarly, be content with the kind of marriage and home God has given to you.
Are the families around you having a feast almost every day: killing chickens and goats; celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, dance parties, etc, while in your own home frozen fish is still a rarity that you enjoy once in a week: on “Happy Sundays”? Don’t murmur and don’t compare. Be content and happy with what God provides. It’s a matter of time and divine promotion will come. For now, be content and thankful to God; believing that His plans for your lives are best as indeed they are.
🍷🍗 TAKE-HOME LESSON: BE HAPPILY CONTENT WITH YOUR MARRIAGE AND HOME. DON’T COMPARE OR COMPETE WITH OTHERS.
💕❤️ TODAY’S ONE FLESH ASSIGNMENT IN THE BEDROOM
Reread today’s devotional piece and discuss it.
🍎🍏MARRIAGE REVOLUTION CONTINUES!🍏🍎
🪗🎻🪕🎤🎧🎙️🪘🎚️🎺🥁
LISTEN TO THIS DANCEABLE SPIRITUAL SONG.
NOTHING WRONG WITH CLOSING YOUR BEDROOM DOOR AND DANCING TOGETHER TO THIS MUSIC. IT’S TITLED: JISOS AFEDO WE (JESUS LOVED YOU) 🪘🪘