Hear and Obey

January 6, 2015
Bible in a year: Matthew 1-2

Devotional passage: Matthew 2:13-14 NRSV

"Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt..."

This is only one of three instructional dreams which Joseph has in the first two chapters of Matthew. In the dreams, the angel of the Lord is telling Joseph how to preserve the life of God's son, Jesus. One thing that is truly relevant in this text is the immediacy and obedience to God's command.

How many times in our lives do we hear God's commands, instructions, directions, or encouragement to do something? Do we obediently respond or ignore it completely? I suspect many of us are somewhere in the middle; contemplating, questioning, and responding, but only if it seems rational and logical to our mortal minds.

When I first hear God's call to seminary, I heard it loud and clear. I had already been in full-time lay ministry for three years without feeling compelled to do more than grow in my faith and commitment to serve the church. So when the Lord said, "Now is the time," there was no doubt in me about the message. But I had excuses. I was already 44 years old and had two children still in elementary school. My biblical knowledge was limited and I had been out of school for 20 years! I felt like Moses, bargaining with God over my unsuitability. But, as I took steps to discern my call, God tore down every obstacle and I knew in my heart that obedience was necessary.

How does God call out to you? In dreams, answer to prayers, or a feeling of rightness when you are considering a path? Listen prayerfully and obey as Joseph did over and over.

Deuteronomy 13:4 says, "The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast."

Pray: Lord, our God, direct us. Let us recognize your instructions, whether subtle or obvious, and respond with gladness and enthusiasm; knowing your presence and provision will sustain us. In Christ's name we pray, amen.