Joseph was a just man and was unwilling to put her to shame

Matthew 1:19
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

(The perspective is not for divorce but for the honor he gives for his fiancee)

Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself

Daniel 1:8
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

(The perspective is not the food but the defilement)

Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through

Acts 19:21
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

(The perspective is not the places mentioned but the depending on the Holy Spirit)
Each of the above verses talk of resolutions
One may wonder each of the resolutions above is so weird and different.
One man resolves to honor his fiance and quietly solve a situation that was brewing in their lives.
One man resolves to stand for his ethics and values that he had learned and observed from his childhood, even though he is placed in life or death situation
Another man resolves to do nothing but what the Spirit of God guides him to do in his ministry, in spite of more eloquent apostles and preachers around him.
The above are some examples of situations we are in right now or could face in the next year.

What is our ‘resolve’?

1. Very tough unknown situations. Call for even tougher resolve depending on God’s grace.
2. Highly compromising conditions. Call for the resolve of steel to depend and abide by God’s word.

Every minister and child of God should resolve to listen to the Holy Spirit for every step in 2020.

Not very far is the fulfillment of the promise.
Behold He is coming quickly.

If anybody really knew that Jesus was virgin-born, it would be Mary.

And Mary knew it. Joseph, her fiance, knew it.
A couple, at probably the most important decision of their lives. And they did not decide to spin a story, but they stuck to the truth that they knew. This kid was going to be different.
It was not an auspicious moment.
It was not a very posh hospital suite.
There was no attending doctors team.
There was no celebration among the relatives or the distribution of sweets.
No one came to visit the newborn baby.
He was born to a virgin. He was to be known as the Son of God.
His birth was heralded to both the king of the land and to the common shepherds. One sought to kill Him. The other came and worshipped Him.

May be He should not have been born at all?

1. The blind man Bartimaeus would have remained blind all His life.
2. Peter and his friends would remain fishermen.
3. The Samaritan woman at the well would have continued with her infidelity and never knew the true worth of her life.
4. The politically and religiously fluent Nicodemus would have continued in His ignorance.
5. Lazarus would have remained dead.
6. There would be no crucifixion of Jesus with the two other criminals.
7. There would be no resurrection of Jesus as the one who overcame death.
and so on…
This is a very very short list of what would have never happened.

So you see the kid’s birth as the Son of God was

1. A Healing – to hundreds of people who believed
2. Career changing – to all who met Him
3. A source of forgiveness – to all who accepted Him as Savior
4. The answer to the most loftiest questions
5. Redemption – as He made the impossible possible.
6. Reconciliation – for there was no one else to take away the burden of sin.
7. Salvation – as a friend for the sinner and a meaning to life after death.

So today.

1. When you look at your sickness, you have an answer, healing, a person to turn to – Jesus.
2. When you look at your vocation – you will find someone who adds more meaning – Jesus
3. When you feel that your stash of porn or your illicit relationships or your crazy habits are destroying your life – your friend to help you out is Jesus
4. When in your life you find staring at impossible moments – one who can lead you through – Jesus
5. When burdened with guilt and snares of mistakes and wrongs – you have a forgiver, a companion.
6. And if at the end of your life you realize that it’s all over and been futile – turn to Jesus – for He is the Way, Truth, and Life.
7. And yes, after this life on earth is over, there is a promise of a life in eternity.

And this day.

Yes, He is very much alive and speaking to hundreds and millions across the world.
Your life has a meaning on this earth, and you are a worthy inheritor of the grace of eternal life.
His promise is –

I will never leave you and forsake you all the days of your life.