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Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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. 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.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

Can you imagine the internal conflict Joseph must have experienced when he first learned that Mary was pregnant? They were pledged to be married—an engagement in ancient Jewish culture was far more serious than we might understand today. To discover that his betrothed was with child, and not by him, must have shattered Joseph’s heart. His first reaction, according to Matthew 1:19, shows his deep struggle: “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

Joseph was a righteous man. He knew the law, and the law demanded certain actions in the case of an unfaithful betrothal, which could lead to public shame or even stoning. But Joseph loved Mary and sought to act with compassion, choosing a quieter path to spare her public humiliation. Yet, in his hurt, confusion, and disappointment, he likely didn’t understand God’s plan.

It’s in these moments of confusion, where our understanding falters, that we must learn to trust in God's greater plan. Joseph’s decision to quietly end the engagement was based on his limited understanding of the situation. He couldn’t see the miraculous work God was doing behind the scenes. But God, in His perfect timing, sent an angel to reveal the truth. 

The child Mary was carrying wasn’t a mistake; it was part of God’s sovereign plan to bring salvation to the world. The angel spoke directly into Joseph's confusion: “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

Joseph’s faith in that moment became the turning point. Despite the confusion and the uncertainty, Joseph chose to trust God’s revelation. The angel's words, rooted in the prophecy of Isaiah (Matthew 1:23), confirmed that this was God's will unfolding in a way no one expected. Joseph's obedience—his willingness to take Mary as his wife and to raise Jesus as his son—became an integral part of the story of salvation.

Our Struggles with God’s Plan:

Much like Joseph, we often find ourselves in situations where we don’t understand God’s plan. We may face unexpected challenges or find ourselves in circumstances that seem beyond our control. In those times, it’s easy to become confused, frustrated, or even fearful. We want clarity, and we want to understand how things will work out. But sometimes, God’s plan doesn’t make sense to us at first glance.

Take, for instance, the times in our lives when we face setbacks—perhaps a job loss, a health crisis, or a broken relationship. We may feel that God has forgotten us or that things are spiraling out of control. Like Joseph, we might feel the need to “fix” things on our own, resorting to what seems best in the moment. Yet, often, God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We may not understand, but He sees the bigger picture. His plans are always for our good (Romans 8:28), even when they don’t align with our expectations.

Joseph's journey teaches us that even when we don’t understand what God is doing, He is faithful. He is always working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see it. Joseph’s act of obedience in the face of uncertainty was a demonstration of trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Today, are you facing a situation where you don’t understand God’s plan? Do you feel like Joseph, torn between your own understanding and what God may be calling you to do? Remember that God’s ways are not our ways, and His timing is perfect. Just as Joseph learned that Mary’s pregnancy was part of a divine plan, so too can we trust that God’s plans for us are always good—even when they don’t make sense at first.

When you are struggling to understand, take a moment to pause and listen for God’s voice. He will speak, as He did to Joseph. And like Joseph, may we respond with faith and obedience, trusting that the God who orchestrated the greatest story ever told is the same God who holds our lives in His hands.

Please give the following song a listen:  In His Time

May God draw close to you as you seek to understand Him more!

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word