PursuingYHWH

So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother.

But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee.

So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew 2: 21-23

Joseph is instructed by an angel to leave Egypt and return to the land of Israel. So he goes.

#1 Joseph obeyed the leading of the Lord.

He’s cruising along, and probably thought “God told me to go back, Herod is dead. Sweet, clear sailing.” But then he finds out that Herod’s son is in charge now.

Dang. Now what? He is gonna take up his father’s mission of killing my son.

Joseph was scared, he was afraid.

And he was right. God confirmed with warning Joseph in a dream not to go back but to leave the area.

I don’t know if in the dream God told him to go to Galilee or if that was the only logical place for Joseph to go but we know that’s where he went. Galilee.

Why? Because that was God’s plan from before He created all things. This is what was prophesized that “He will be called a Nazarene.”

It was all a part of God’s will.

In our lives, we feel fear throughout the day/week/month in different situations.

How do we know what fears to pay attention to and which ones to let go?

I’m going to pray about it. And then walk by faith.

And ask Jesus to show me which ones I need to pay attention to and which ones I need to release to Him to handle.

If someone is trying to hit me with an axe, I’m going to do what I can to stop that person and ask Jesus for victory. Easy.

If I’m fearful of losing my job (consistently visiting fear for me), I’m going to ask Jesus to help me trust Him. And to help me do an excellent job. Any fear after that is likely worry – in other words – not trusting in Him.

I’m also going to dust off my resume and start applying for jobs. Maybe God is saying the time at this job is winding down and He is preparing something new for me?

I don’t know until God opens and/or closes a door of opportunity.

But in the meantime, I’m going to trust Him, seek Him, do the best I can at my job to represent Him well, and apply for other jobs.

He will grant me a new job, keep me exactly where I am, promote me, fire me, whatever His plan is – will happen.

And I’m learning….slowly….that is what I want because His plan and His timing are perfect.

Easier said than done, but the point is – sometimes what we fear may have legitimate value/concern – but we take it Jesus to show us what He wants us to do.

And then we walk by faith until God makes a way, opens a door, etc.

He is in control and He is guiding us along the best pathway for our lives to do His perfect will.

In the next foxhole over from you,
Dave