Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 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. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Lord, Joseph must have been devastated to learn that Mary was pregnant. He knew the child was not his, so it looked like Mary had been unfaithful. Yet he didn’t hesitate to accept Your Word in his dream. He got up and followed Your instructions, even though many people thought either that Joseph and Mary had anticipated their wedding vows or even that Mary was pregnant by another man. With no hesitation, Joseph believed Your Word and did what You asked. Lord, give us that strong faith that no matter You ask us to do, we will be ready to take on the task, regardless of how the world reacts. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.