Obedience Despite Fear
Scripture: “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus” (Matthew 1.24-25)
MAIN POINT: Faith obeys God’s call even when fear remains and outcomes are uncertain.
Notice what the text doesn’t say. It doesn’t say Joseph woke up confident and free from fear. It doesn’t say he understood everything. It simply says he woke up and obeyed. Still afraid—he would need several more divine dreams for guidance. Still uncertain about how this would unfold. But faithful.
This is what love looks like when it encounters the living God. It doesn’t demand its own way or insist on understanding everything. It doesn’t wait until fear disappears. It simply trusts God’s promises and acts faithfully. Joseph took Mary as his wife. He served as Jesus’ adoptive father. He fulfilled his small part, one obedient step at a time.
Your circumstances may feel overwhelming. You may not understand what God is doing. Fear may be constant. But like Joseph, you can wake up each day and take the next faithful step. You don’t need everything figured out. You don’t need to be in control. You just need to trust the One who is in control and obey what He’s calling you to do today.
Reflection: Faithful obedience doesn’t require the absence of fear, only the presence of trust. What act of obedience is God calling you to take despite your fears? How can you take one faithful step today, even if you don’t see the whole staircase?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I confess my fears and uncertainties. Like Joseph, I don’t have everything figured out. Give me grace to take the next faithful step, trusting that You are working out purposes greater than I can see. In Your Name, Amen.
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