Text: Matthew 1:18-20
Memory text:
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Life can be overwhelming with challenges such that we begin to fear. Situations that come to threaten our peace, health, finances, security, reputation, and public image can generate fears in our hearts.
According to our text, Joseph experienced fear having been faced with the challenge of coping with the stigma of marrying a supposedly adulterous wife. “… Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” ‭‭(Matt‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬).
In the midst of this, Joseph struggled between preserving his noble character and what was right in the eyes of the law. He struggled between choosing love and choosing the law. “And Joseph, her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publicly to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her quietly.” (Matt 1:19 AMP). Being a just man, he didn’t want to expose her to further embarrassment and cause her public shame, so he planned to call off the engagement privately. He practiced the God type of love. This is the love that does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth; and the love that covers a multitude of sins (1 Cor. 13:7; 1 Pet 4:8).
An unjust person will never consider it twice before pushing her out of the house the day he discovered her pregnancy and then send a message about her shameful action to her parents, friends, colleagues and even his own family and friends! While the unjust man will consider it just to disgrace her for her shameful action, this just man considered it unjust to do such. What will not ordinarily pose a challenge to an unrighteous man became a huge challenge to the just and righteous man! The righteous man also faces challenges of life. David said, “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time” (Psa 34:19 NLT).
The righteous faces challenges of pleasing God or pleasing self, choosing love or choosing the law, upholding character, or casting it off in various issues of life. It may be marital, financial, business, career, academic, or even the spiritual life.
Friends, it’s true that the righteous also faces challenges that have the tendency to cause fear, but God will deliver you from all the fears if you choose His ways and seek His help.

Prayer points
1. Father, please help me to choose Your ways and to choose love and character in the midst of my challenges, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, as I seek You, please, deliver me from all my fears and make a way of escape for me, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I will not choose my ways nor lose my character in the midst of my challenges.
2. Yes, the righteous also faces challenges, but God delivers me when I seek His intervention.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng