Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Matthew 1:18-20

Matthew 1:18-20    "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." 

 In Isaiah 7:14, God promised us a sign concerning our Saviour. The Scripture tells us that “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” The birth of Jesus Christ came in this manner (was on this wise) as a sign from God to His people that He was faithful to the promise He made to Abraham. Although the engagement gift had been given, Mary and Joseph had not yet been physically intimate.

 Before a man ever touched her, Mary was found with child. Our natural inclination is to reject such a claim. Only by the assurance of the Holy Ghost can we believe that this is true. Yet, for the surety of our salvation, it must be true.

 I read a paper written by a doctor many years ago that indicated that the components that make blood come from our fathers. This is not the same thing as blood type which is affected by both the father and the mother. That Jesus was conceived of the Holy Ghost is significant in that His blood was not tainted with the Adamic nature. That He was born of a virgin resonated with the Jews because of the prophecy from Isaiah.

 The hand of the Lord was upon Mary in the birth of Jesus. God also blessed her in the fact that Joseph obviously loved her. Even though it appeared on the surface that Mary had been unfaithful to Joseph, he did not want her publicly humiliated or even possibly stoned (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). God’s hand was in the matter to preserve Mary’s espousal to Joseph, to save her life, and to keep His promise of one who would redeem His people.

 Dear ones, God knows how to bring about His purposes fully and completely. Jesus came into the world being our Lord and Saviour. He comforted Joseph’s heart concerning Mary and His purpose in her life. He protected and blessed Mary through a situation that the world said could not be possible. This is the same God who watches over you today, and He is the same now as He was then!

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Psalm 88:1-4

Psalm 88:1-4  A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:  (2)  Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;  (3)  For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.  (4)  I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength" I've said this before and I will say it again (and probably more times before we get to the end of the Psalms) - I love the Psalms because I can surely identify with them. Most Psalms start in a low place and as the writer expresses his thoughts, the Lord begins to lift him up out of that dry place.  Though this entire Psalm is a fervent cry unto the Lord, the Psalmist tells us specifically in three verses that he cried daily unto the Lord. Just a few Psalms ago, we were reminded that God always hears our prayers. ...

Daily Devotion (Video): I Will Fear No Evil - Psalm 23:4

Daily Devotion: Psalm 100:1-5

Psalm 100:1-5   A Psalm of praise. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." "Know ye that the LORD he is God." As I read the 100th Psalm this morning, this verse seems to be the hinge upon which all the other verses are settled. Know ye that the LORD he IS God. Jesus prayed in His intercessory prayer, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) We read in the book of Hebrews chapter 11:6, "... he that cometh to God must believ...