40 Days of Hope – Day 3

For todays devo, Max Lucado takes a look at Joseph and his decision with Mary. Of the 3 days, this one has challenged me the most. Maybe it’s because I am a father and a husband. Maybe it’s because I am convicted by the fact that Joseph did what I don’t know if I could or would have. He did what was right in the face of tremendous danger, ridicule and a fall from the public eye. He was a man of tremendous honor and respect in the community. He was caught in the middle.

“Fearless warriors in a picket fence,
reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end

and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences,

the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His

or are we caught in the middle” – Casting Crowns

I don’t know if it can be said any better than Casting Crowns sums it up. How often do I have “deep water faith in the shallow end”? How often am I really willing to trade my dreams for his? How often am I caught in the middle? I am in no way comparing a daily battle or two to what Joseph was faced with. I don’t know if I can get my head around the decision he had to make, let alone do what he did. Yet he made it. He wasn’t caught in the middle for long. Matthew 1:24 says “…he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him…”

He put everything else on the line to do the will of God. He placed Mary and her needs before his own. He was willing to risk for what God called him to. He didn’t get caught in the middle.

Somewhere in the Middle” by Casting Crowns.
From the CD “The Altar and the Door“.

Tomorrow – “Because of Love”

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