Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.
Reading: Matthew 1:18–25
Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.
After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.
Joseph faced an impossible situation that required impossible faith—believing his virgin fiancée conceived by the Holy Spirit. Logic argued against it. Society would mock it. Everything about the situation pointed toward rejection, fear, and self-protection. Yet Scripture tells us that when Joseph woke from sleep, he did exactly what the angel of the Lord commanded him.
True faith often contradicts common sense. Forgiveness when you’ve been deeply wounded. Generosity when finances are tight. Purity in a permissive culture. Loving people who are difficult or undeserving. These are not logical responses—they are Kingdom responses. Faith trusts God’s word over personal understanding and obeys even when the outcome is unclear. Like Joseph, we are invited to believe that obedience today can play a role in a story far bigger than we can see.
Where is God asking me to trust Him beyond logic, and what step of obedience am I hesitating to take?
Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…
- Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).
- Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: God, help me trust You when obedience doesn’t make sense. Give me the courage to believe Your word above my fears, doubts, and understanding.
- Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.
Take Action:
- Identify one area where God is calling you to obey despite uncertainty and commit to taking a step this week.
- Write down the fears or objections you have about obedience and surrender them to God in prayer.