You think Mary had questions that first Christmas? Oh my, Joseph had a lot more questions, I’m sure. And in Matthew chapter one, the Bible says in verse 20, “while he thought on these things.” You know, Mary’s announcement that she was expecting put Joseph in a great dilemma. And I’m grateful that he was a just man. And the Bible says because he was just, he was not willing to put her away. And so while he meditated, by the way, we need to meditate on the word of God. While he meditated, the Lord comes to him. The angel speaks to him and tells him, “don’t be afraid to take Mary to be your wife.” And so because he took time to think, he didn’t react. Sometimes we’re reactionary.

So quickly, if we’re not careful, a preacher said recently, it was so funny. He said, “sometimes I think the only exercise some Christians get is jumping to conclusions.” Joseph didn’t jump to conclusions. And as they pondered, the word of the Lord came to him and told him to take Mary to be his wife. And I want to read to you from Matthew 1, verse 24, “then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him and took unto him his wife.” I want to encourage you today. You can find peace, a peace that passeth all understanding, not only when we pray and seek the Lord, but when we’re obedient to the word of God. Paul said, “those things which ye hath both learned and which we do and the God of peace shall be with you.” God wants to bring to us a great peace, but that only comes as we’re obedient to the word of God. And the greatest blessings come when we’re obedient in seasons that are the most challenging and the most difficult.

So that’s our help for today. Let’s be obedient to God’s word, no matter what the challenges are. Have a wonderful day.

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John Evertson

John Evertson, GSBC Campus Pastor

In June 2000, after graduating from Golden State Baptist College, John Evertson answered the call to pastor West Valley Baptist Church in Woodland, California. After 19 years, God moved Pastor and Mrs. Evertson to Santa Clara. Pastor Evertson is instrumental in the church and serves as the Campus Pastor for Golden State Baptist College to help guide the future servants of God. Pastor & Mrs. Evertson have four children — Josiah, Jeremiah, Joy, and Joshua.