Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph was a man that is very easy to over-look; after all he wasn't Jesus' father. It is certainly true that Joseph was not the biological father of our Savior, but he certainly is far from unimportant. He was a man of integrity from whom we can learn much. He was a man who had plans for a quiet married life with a young woman of equally fine character. One day in the middle of his engagement with Mary, Mary became pregnant and the child wasn't his. What is an honorable man to do in such a situation? Women just don't become pregnant without a man being involved. It was his right to make a public example of her, but instead he chose to just quietly give her a bill of divorcement and allow her to save as much face as possible. That night an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife and that her baby was from the Holy Spirit. There is no indication that he questioned or rationalized or even said that his dream was from eating too many taco's. He was obedient to the Word of the Lord, he married Mary and gave the baby the name that God had given him, and he joined in the raising of Jesus as though He was his own. To further illustrate his character, he set aside his wedding night until after Jesus was born. As we reflect on our own lives, how well do we handle changes in plans? If you are like most others - probably not too well. There is no guarantee that if we do things God's way that they will be comfortable, but then moving against God's will isn't very comfortable either. Keep in mind that God sees things from the eternal perspective and He can make it work. The birth of Jesus is a perfect example.

Joseph, a Man of Integrity