Give up to Give in

What would we do, if we are in a situation, where to save our face, we have to expose others? Would we not try to justify us? This happens everyday in our life, with our spouses, our children, our parents, our friends, our relatives, our colleagues, our superiors, etc. Because it is the natural outcome of our character and it is the instant impulsive expression of every man and woman.

But Joseph was different. He comes to know, that the woman who was betrothed to him, is conceived with a child and he could only understand that probably she would have had an affair. Marriages in the East are a public affair. Every one in his village and all his relatives and friends living elsewhere would have known about their betrothal. But still he chose not to put her to shame.

“And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:19 (ESV)

If we were in such a situation, where our name & fame could be tainted because of someone, what would be the course of action that we would choose to take? Will we be concerned enough to safeguard the other person? Can we keep all that happened, which only we alone are aware of, a secret or will we blow the whistle so as to save us?

The decision that Joseph made was a wise and a righteous decision. But still he was willing to change his decision, which could cost his reputation dearly.

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 (ESV). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife. Matthew 1:24 (ESV)

Will we be willing to change our plans, even good plans, when we come in terms with God’s plans? Are we open enough to give in to God’s plans and give up our dreams, to fulfil God’s desires?

If we carefully consider the dream, none of the prophecy is concerned about Joseph’s future. It was all about Mary and Jesus. But he still obeyed.

We do like to have dreams and visions and would love to hear prophecies and receive promises; but do we not desire that at least a small portion of it should be concerning our future? But here is a man who has a dream and hears a prophecy and receives a promise, which is not of his future; but in contrary that might ruin his life, but still chooses to obey God.

Takes home a woman as his wife, who is conceived not with his child;

Christens the child, not born of him;

Obeys the prophecy, not concerned his future.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:” Matthew 1:22 (ESV)

It took 750 years after Micah prophesied the birth of the Messiah, for it to get fulfilled. The Lord was looking for a man who will give up his plans and his decisions, for God. Even now God has many plans concerning every country and continent; He is still looking for one man, one woman who is willing to give up all his or her dreams, for God!

Let us give up our’s and give in to God’s!