Mary is pregnant and Joseph is not the father. Like a slap in the face, the news comes during their betrothal. He makes a heartbreaking decision to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:20-21 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. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Understand it or not, the dream explains the baby. It's of the Holly Ghost. Joseph knows Scripture. Surely this is the fulfillment of the greatest promise God ever gave to man. This is the Messiah!
He thought about it some more. Mary will be his bride after all, and Jesus will come into the world as a helpless infant to live in his house, to learn his trade, to sit on his knee, and to grow up and die for the sins of mankind.
God had just transformed what he thought was his worst nightmare into what would become his greatest blessing---raising the Son of God.
Like Joseph, believers are sometimes blind to the fact that God is working behind the scenes. His plans are always best, even when they hurt, Rom. 8:28; 2 Cor. 4:15-17.
The Lord is looking for dedicated people today who will follow him in spite of the tragedies of life.
