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!

Someone’s listening….

Have we ever given serious thought to what we speak to one another? The conversations that we have from dawn to dusk; the conversations in our homes, offices, at the cafeteria; while jogging or cooking or studying or working; with our friends, colleagues, wife, children, parents, relatives, etc.

We talk about that which happened in our home or neighbourhood to our colleague in the office and that which happened in the office to our wife at home and so on; about incidents that excited us or irritated us; of those who attracted / appreciated us or annoyed us.

But, do you know what? God heeds to all that we talk to one another. He not only listens to them, but records them: Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. Malachi 3:16 (ESV)

Sometimes by what we speak we hail a person and at times we might hurt someone. Some react, some retaliate and some stay calm; but God responds.

In the book of Malachi, the Lord says:

You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17 (ESV)

“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”

Malachi 3:13-15 (ESV)

We might justify our stances and speeches, saying that it was a statement, a squelch, that spilled out in the spur of the moment.

Here the people complain that justice is not done to them; maybe because they received only accusations instead of appreciation, misery instead of merry, only admonishment instead of admiration, anger instead of applause. They have come to a point in their inner struggle that they complain about God and their situation to their companions. Do we also do the same? Whenever we complain against God or place or people or position, we weary God with our words.

Careless comments & words are causative that will cost our call so dearly, if we fail to comprehend and consider the consequence. It would determine whether we are righteous or wicked, whether we truly serve God or not.

“Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” Malachi 3:18 (ESV)

Won’t we be careful if we were to converse in front of the camera? Remember, that our rows, responses and all that we speak are being recorded in the Book of Remembrance. Will God say to you and me, listening to our conversations, “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 (ESV)

The days is coming when the wicked will be stubble (Mal 4:1) and the righteous will be stall-fed calves (Mal 4:2). ( Malachi 4:1-2 (ESV) )

Take heed to what you say to one another! Meditate on His name (Mal 3:16b) and Remember the Scriptures (Mal 4:4) everyday, and pray that the Lord may give you the tongue of the learned, that you may know how to speak…. ( Isaiah 50:4 (ESV) )

Let us not weary the Lord with our words, but let even our whispers be worthy! Stop before you react the next time, think and respond remembering that your words are recorded!