SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
OBSERVATION: Joseph was a righteous man. Mary was pregnant. She had already broken the marriage engagement. Joseph would do what a righteous man would do. He also would set aside the engagement. But he was also a good man who loved Mary. He did not want her to be humiliated. He would not make a big scene, so everyone would know how much he had been hurt. He would do it quietly.
BUT GOD STOPPED HIM! There was a higher purpose in what was happening. Joseph was to be a part of something much greater than he ever dreamed.
APPLICATION: I am glad to know that God can stop me. Sometimes when God stops me, it is because I am about to make a fool of myself. God kindly steps in and corrects my direction.
At other times when God stops me, it is because He has a higher purpose. He is allowing me to be a part of something much greater. He says “No,” because he is saying “Yes,” to something far better. If He allowed me to move ahead with the “first,” there would be no possibility of the “best.”
PRAYER: Lord, I trust you to see what I cannot see. I trust you when you say “No” as I trust you when you say “Yes.” You stopped my old way of Bible reading to open time for me to write daily SOAPs. Amen.
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
My Personal SOAP Saga: NOTE: The SOAPs are my personal devotions with the Lord each day. This one is a repeat from last year. God is speaking to me today through this SOAP from the past. He wants me to hold steady and trust Him to work through the tomorrows. I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know He is with me and will be with me. A high laboratory test indicates that further checking is necessary. So Friday (April 19) I will be having a MRI to check the prostate. In advance, I say “Thank you, for your prayers.” I will keep you informed as I move forward in Jesus. 😊
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 