About My Husband
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Joseph, Joesph
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But 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. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Matthew 1:18-25
Mary, Mary
How long have you been married? At the end of this week only 33 years ago, just about 3 months after meeting, my perfect boyfriend with a proposal of marriage put a ring on my finger. So much to say, so little time…another day. I do remember it as if it were yesterday. This young(er) me was full of every eagerness to please my soon to be husband. I would have done most anything if I knew it would put a smile on his face and in his heart. On the contrary, I didn’t want to do or say anything that would hurt him.
Can you imagine Mary’s position here? What do you think *you* would have done? Mary? In absolute, Mary left this hard message trusted to the Lord’s doing.
Two shall become One
I haven’t done any studying about this, I probably should have before going on here-maybe some of you will and then share with me-but in Genesis God tells us about marriage and also repeats Himself in the New Testament.
Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Mary and Joseph were betrothed, and it would take a decree of divorce to put her away. Therefore, I would have to think they were one in Him as declared regarding marriage.
Moving forward in this thought, then.
I’d say Joseph submitting to God’s message through His angel is a picture worthy of framing in our own marriage, wouldn’t you? He loved God so much-don’t miss that, he loved GOD so much- that he first wanted to protect Mary and quietly put her away, but then-when he heard from God-he desired and decided to submit to Him. With blind faith, as is our faith, Joseph’s obedience to God’s Word was absolutely for the very good of His bride, and his own. And not just those two, but for each of our own good, too.
A Lesson in Obedience
Our obedience to God affects those around us, every time. And, our disobedience does, too.
God Can
I just told you it’s been 33 years since my husband and I were engaged, and we followed soon after in marriage. I did not realize this wisdom for a long time; God can take care of my husband. He doesn’t ever tell me through His Word that I should be His Gabriel to my husband’s ears or heart. Oh, I read a lot about who I should be in my marriage, in my life as a child of God, but that one isn’t there for me to gather under my repertoire of duties. Friends, God can, still. Whatever your marriage needs, God can. If I could wrap up a year’s worth of my blogging/podcasting for Christian women’s marriages, it would be this: God, change me. Of all the things I’ve talked about, and we’ve tackled so heavy hurts (go back and read/listen to past episodes of Marriage Mondays and Word Wednesdays), the end resolve has to be just that. Since I can’t change what isn’t my responsibility to change, and since my desire is to submit to the Lord, my resolve (and God’s gracious answer) is the hardest simple to learn: God change my heart.
Change My Heart Oh God
Change My Heart Oh God
Make It Ever True
Change My Heart Oh God
May I Be Like YouYou Are The Potter
LYRICS
I Am The Clay
Mold Me And Make Me
This Is What I Pray
