For our meditation today we will consider 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (ESV)
The prophet Samuel spoke these significant words, and had to remind King Saul that the Lord valued obedience over all the burnt offerings, sacrifices and fat of rams that one could offer to Him. This message will help us understand the kind of obedience that God expects from us, in order to receive God’s blessings, goodness, and see the fulfilment of God’s promises in our lives.
Both in yester years and in these days as well, there is no dearth for sacrifices. In times past animals were sacrificed, and today people offer, what they call as sacrifices of praise to the Lord. There is nothing wrong with our sacrifice of praises, but they are of no avail, and will not please the Lord in any way, if it is not coupled with obedience.
All over the world there are great festivities celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ during this season. Jesus came down to the earth, and gave His life as a ransom for the sins of the whole world and this was made possible because of the obedience of a couple.
Joseph was in a dilemma
We read in Matthew 1:18-19, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (ESV)
Joseph was engaged to be married to Mary, and this was the news that reached him. He was told that Mary was already found to be with child, and this must have caused shock, sadness, anger and confusion for Joseph. However, the word of God testifies that Joseph was a just man, and hence he decided that he would divorce Mary quietly. Joseph did not want to defame Mary in any way, and Joseph also did not share this news he received from Mary to anyone else.
Those who claim to be the children of God must necessarily possess these two qualities found in Joseph. The first quality is that we should not seek to disgrace others in any way. We live in times when people seek to get popularity by slandering others.
Today, most of the news that is being viewed on social media are those about murder, rape, violence and other atrocities which are spread far and wide. There are millions who watch these telecasts, and this is spoken about for months together, and interestingly one never hears of what happened eventually. Often the time spent on such information is wasteful, and of no use to anyone. We should take a decision to not read, watch or hear such offensive news. So many are hooked on to such news, and want to keep following up on them which is of no benefit whatsoever. The second quality we must develop is to not spread bad news with others.
God’s assurance to Joseph
As Joseph was pondering on this news, this is what happened.
We read in Matthew 1:20-21, While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus--because he will save his people from their sins." (GNB)
This was something that had never happened before. A virgin had conceived, and the child that was formed inside of her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Surely this was not an easy information for Joseph to accept or process. There were two options before Joseph, one was to obey God implicitly though it was tough or the other was for him to not accept the word of God as was revealed to him.
Joseph obeyed
When Joseph woke out of his sleep, this was what he did. We read in Matthew 1:24-25, “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife. He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.”(GW)
Joseph chose the path of obedience, and took Mary to be his wife. When the baby was born Joseph named the child Jesus just as the angel had commanded them to do so.
Oftentimes obedience might be a hard choice, but to those who do so it brings abundant blessings. To obey or not to obey is up to us, and we must ask God to help us choose the path of obedience. We may not understand, and it might even be a difficult path, but we must nevertheless chose to obey God’s word all the time.
A prophecy fulfilled
The obedience of Joseph was instrumental in the fulfilment of the prophecy by the Prophet Isaiah 700 years earlier.
Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (ESV)
One of the reasons why some of the promises of God are not fulfilled in our lives is because of our disobedience. May we surrender our lives to walk in obedience to God and His word, no matter how tough it may seem to us.
Joseph obeyed again
We also read in Matthew 2:13, After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, "Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave." (GNB)
There are three things that we can learn from the above mentioned verse. Firstly, the Lord is mindful of the safety of His children. Joseph and his family were in grave danger and the Lord sent word to protect them, and keep them safe and secure. Secondly, the Lord is also aware of the schemes of the evil one. There is nothing that takes God by surprise because God is aware of everything even before it happens. Thirdly, the Lord makes a way of escape, and teaches us how we should go.
Joseph could have reasoned this way; if God could make a virgin conceive, it would be simple for Him to protect them, and the child right where they were. God is Almighty and could even hide the child from the eyes of those who came searching for him.
There are many today who want to counsel God instead of obeying what He says. Only those who are obedient can be recipients of God’s blessings.
We read that Joseph obeyed without any question though the journey may have been arduous.
This is recorded in Matthew 2:14, Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt, (GNB)
We know that travelling with a baby is a hard task even today, and we can imagine how much more burdensome it must have been for Joseph and Mary in those days. Joseph obeyed immediately, and left that night and thereby, another promise of God was fulfilled.
It is important that we obey God even when it is hard to do so, and this obedience must be immediate and without delay. Delayed obedience is equal to disobedience.
God sympathizes with us
We further read in Matthew 2:22, “But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.” (NKJV)
This verse helps us understand that God sympathizes with our fears. Joseph is afraid to go back to Judea, and God instructs Joseph in a dream to settle down in the region of Galilee. Here again we see that Joseph was completely obedient to the word of God that was given to him.
In Matthew 2:23 we read, “And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (ESV)
Here again a prophecy was fulfilled when Joseph obeyed God, and did as God bid him to do.
Every time we obey the word of God we will find that the promises of God will certainly be fulfilled in our lives.
There are numerous ways in which the birth of Jesus is being celebrated all over the world. Sadly, the reason why Jesus was born has been forgotten in the midst of all the festivities. We have made all of the celebrations to be those that would satisfy our own whims and fancies. For instance when it is our birthday, we desire to do what we like, and buy new clothes for ourselves. So also when we celebrate the birth of Jesus we must find out what pleases Him. Here again we use His name, and spend all the money on ourselves. Somehow, there seems to be a misunderstanding of the reason for all of the celebrations.
The obedience that God expects of us can be explained this way.
1. Firstly we obey God even when we don’t have all the reasons why we should do so.
2. Secondly, we obey even when we find it hard to do so
3. Thirdly, we choose to obey even when we don’t like to do so.
Mary too was obedient to the Lord.
We read in Luke 1:30-31, And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. (ESV)
When Mary heard this angelic proclamation, she too was confused and perplexed just as Joseph was.
In Luke 1:34-35 we read, And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (ESV)
There seemed to be an anxiety and bewilderment in Mary, who asked the angel of the Lord how this could be a possibility as she was a virgin. The angel of the Lord calmed the fears of Mary, and the angel of the Lord explained to her how this would happen.
We read in Luke 1:38, And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (ESV)
Mary totally submitted herself to the will of God. Though circumstances seemed adverse to them, both Joseph and Mary decided to obey the word of God.
Often we obey God when it is convenient to us, and choose to disobey when it is not favorable to us. This is our nature as human beings. However, let us make a decision to obey God no matter what, and this alone will make a way for people to know who Jesus is. There are many who still do not know who Jesus is, and that He came to take the sins of all mankind on Himself. If we want that good news to reach all the people around is, it is crucial that we live a life of obedience to God.
Let us tell the Lord that we will obey Him even when we don’t know all the reasons, when obedience is tough, and even when we don’t like to obey. If we ask the Lord, He will strengthen us to be obedient, and will do mighty wonders through our lives.
Before I conclude this sermon here’s a verse I wish to highlight the words of Jesus from Matthew 22:39, “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (ESV)
There are many who are lingering with hurts, bitterness, anxieties and the Lord knows all of it. These heartaches that you carry in your heart, and the anger and bitterness you feel towards others will not affect them, but will surely burden you down. Before we end the year commit all of the ones who hurt you in any way, and decide to forgive them from the depths of your heart. Some of these people may be in your own family, and though it is hard, when you obey God, and do as He bids you to, this will be extremely beneficial to you. We are called to love others the way God loves us. You may be reminded of those who spoke ill of you, wounded you, and did you wrong. As a child of God decide to forgive them, and take steps to set the relationship right before this day ends.
The obedience of Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into this world, and made it possible for all of the promises of God to be fulfilled.
May we give to God the obedience that He delights in, even when we don’t comprehend it, when it’s difficult, and even when we don’t like to do it. When we do so we will certainly receive the blessings of God, and His promises will be fulfilled in our lives, and in our lives and in our families too.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
