THE WILLING AND AVAILABLE VESSEL - THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: SATURDAY, 19TH MARCH, 2022 (JOSEPH OF NAZARETH DAY)
TOPIC: THE WILLING AND AVAILABLE VESSEL
TEXT: MATTHEW 1:18-25
18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19. Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man,] and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
22. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."
24. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25. and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
MESSAGE:
The birth of Jesus had long been prophesied since the time of Prophet Isaiah (Isa. 9:6-7). Now it was time for the long-awaited Messiah to be born; God chose the virgin Mary to be the vessel to carry divinity. In a world of tainted values, Mary distinguished herself and became a vessel of honour unto God - a lesson to young ladies today. The story also brought up a challenge of integrity on the part of Joseph. The Bible describes him as “a just man,” but the pregnant state of his betrothed wife raised a difficult social and psychological trauma for him.
The popular and acceptable option in Jewish custom was to put her away publicly and allow her to be stoned for whoredom. God intervened on her behalf and helped him realise that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph chose to bear the shame of being ridiculed instead of her being publicly disgraced.God desires to use everyone one of us in different ways to fulfil His purposes here on earth. But will you be like Mary and Joseph, who were willing and available in spite of fear of public disgrace? Is there any area God is calling you for His use? Submit yourself to Him and you will be blessed..
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, here I am Lord, use me for Your glory. I am willing and available.
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