14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’ Matthew 2, Hosea 11:1
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, … Matthew 2
Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2, (NB there is no specific Old Testament prophecy for this verse)
Mary was chosen to bring forth the Messiah upon the earth, but Joseph was responsible for protecting both of them under the direction of the Spirit. Even Jesus early life, while He was still growing up and under His parents’ care, saw the fulfilment of many prophecies. (A speaker we heard near the end of last year said that 48 prophecies were fulfilled in the life of Jesus) The point is that though these prophecies had been pronounced, Joseph and Mary still had to walk them out and that may be very important for some of us in this New Year. Personal prophecy may be both encouraging and directional, but even in the Lord’s life they had to be acted upon!
Graham Cooke was once flying on an aeroplane and a fellow passenger was quite anxious, but he encouraged them not to be afraid. He said that she (I think it was a lady) was on the second safest seat on the plane, because he had a number of unfulfilled prophecies over his life. He was at peace on the journey because of the prophecies spoken over him or to him directly. We don’t know how Joseph felt but he acted upon the dreams he received and the family were kept safe. There is much blessing in following the path that God has laid out for our lives, not least because He is then responsible for caring for us as we walk towards His Plan for our lives.
Continue to follow the Lord in 2025 and you will walk in safekeeping and blessings.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.