Searching the Night for a Light |
|
| So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." — Matthew 1:22-23
On the night when Jesus was born, I wonder if Joseph ever prayed, "Father, this all seems so… bizarre. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another? If not an angel, maybe a person? Some company would be nice. Even a shepherd would do."
Perhaps he did. Perhaps he didn't. But you probably have.
You've stood where Joseph stood. Caught between what God says and what makes sense. You've done what He told you to do only to wonder if it was Him speaking in the first place. You've stared into a sky blackened with doubt. And you've asked what Joseph asked.
You've asked if you're still on the right road. You've asked if you were supposed to turn left when you turned right. And you've asked if there is a plan behind this scheme.
- Things haven't turned out as you thought they would.
Each of us knows what it's like to search the night for a light. Not outside a stable, but perhaps outside an emergency room or on the manicured grass of a cemetery. We've asked our questions. We've questioned God's plan. And we've wondered why God does what He does.
The Bethlehem sky was not the first to hear the pleadings of a confused pilgrim.
If you are asking what Joseph asked, let me urge you to do what Joseph did. Obey. That's what he did. He obeyed when the angel called, when Mary explained, and when God sent. |
|
|
Yes, your sins are forgiven. Yes, your name is written in Heaven. Yes, death has been defeated. And yes, God has entered your world. |
Yes, your sins are forgiven. Yes, your name is written in Heaven. Yes, death has been defeated. And yes, God has entered your world. |
|
|
He was obedient when the sky was bright… and when it was dark.
He didn't let his confusion disrupt his obedience. He didn't know everything. But he did what he knew. He shut down his business, packed up his family, and went to another country. Why? Because that's what God said to do.
What about you? Just like Joseph, you can't see the whole picture. Just like Joseph, your task is to see that Jesus is brought into your part of the world. And just like Joseph, you have a choice: to obey or disobey. Because Joseph obeyed, God used him to change the world.
Can He do the same with you?
- God still looks for Josephs today. Men and women who believe that God is not through with this world. Common people who serve an uncommon God.
Will you be that kind of person? Will you serve… even when you don't understand?
No, the Bethlehem sky was not the last to hear the pleadings of an honest heart. And perhaps God didn't answer every question for Joseph. But He answered the most important one. "Are you still with me, God?" And through the first cries of the God-child the answer came.
"Yes, Joseph. I'm with you."
Through the small face of the stable-born Baby, He says yes.
Yes, your sins are forgiven. Yes, your name is written in Heaven. Yes, death has been defeated. And yes, God has entered your world.
Immanuel. God is with us.
~ He Still Moves Stones
Excerpted with permission from In the Manger by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado. |
|
|
Are you in the place of saying, "God, this doesn't make sense"? He is with you. The picture may not be clear, but He is with you. He is calling you to be a Joseph today, an obey-er of His Word and of His purposes for your life. Confusion mustn't rob our obedience. Come share your thoughts on obeying even if things don't look the way we expected them to look. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily |
|
|
Prepare your heart for the Christmas season |
Save 35% + FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS ENDING TONIGHT |
In the Manger: 25 Inspirational Selections for Advent |
|
|
$9.99 $6.49 (35% off) + FREE U.S. shipping included when you order by midnight |
|
|
Though the bright lights of Christmas glitter briefly, the message of the season lasts forever−the Word becomes flesh, and the Creator becomes the creation. Join pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado as he invites you to bear witness to the birth of Christ as you've never seen it before.
Advent is a season of anticipation, a celebration of the moment that God came near. He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter.
Let In the Manger guide you through each of the 25 days of Advent with:
- A Bible verse to deeply reflect on
- An inspirational passage from some of Max's most popular books, including 3:16, God Came Near, The Applause of Heaven and more
- A prayer to help you apply the day's message
Join Mary and Joseph inside a stable, beside a shepherd, and at the feet of the King in the manger as you celebrate the greatest gift of all. |
|
|
Save 50% off when you buy the bundle and gift this book to loved ones |
$49.95 $25.00 (50% off) + FREE U.S. shipping included when you order by midnight |
|
|
What Our Readers Are Saying |
"I loved the book. Max Lucado is such a great writer. I felt like I was with the shepherds in the field and at the manger." — Arlena W. |
"This book is a real treasure to enjoy every day and especially Christmas. It is very well written and helps my imagination go deeper into the thinking of Joseph and Mary. The author makes the Christmas story come alive." — Anna S. |
"This Christmas Devotional is one I will read every year. The stories made me think of Advent in new ways that drew me closer to Jesus!" — Karen F. |
|
|
Also on sale from Max Lucado |
Grace for the Moment 90-Day Devotional, Large Print: 90 Days of Inspirational Thoughts |
|
|
| Grace for the Moment© has touched millions of lives with inspirational thoughts for every day that emphasize the help and hope of God in everyday moments. This large deluxe edition offers a leather-flex cover, beautifully designed pages with large type, and a ribbon marker. Inside this 90-day devotional: - Each devotion encourages readers to grow their faith by embracing the hope of the Lord every day.
- Each daily reading features devotional writings from Lucado's numerous bestsellers as well as a Scripture verse selected especially for each day's reading.
|
|
|
$17.99 $7.99 (56% off) + FREE U.S. shipping included when you order by midnight |
|
|
Last day to save during our 8 under $8 Devotional sale! |
|
|
this devotion with someone who needs it today |
|
|
*Sale price ends on 12/3/22. Limited quantities available. Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks. Free U.S standard shipping thru 12/03/22 at 11:59pm, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. **eBooks purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose. Please note that: - To access your eBooks, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly in your browser by creating a Glose account using the same email address you use to purchase the eBooks.
- eBooks fulfilled through Glose cannot be printed, downloaded as PDF, or read in other digital readers (like Kindle or Nook).
- For more information about how to access eBooks purchased on this site, click here for our FAQs.
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment