And That’s Enough
Sunday’s Verse:
From Matthew 2:22 ESV
“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, (Joseph) was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee.”
Joseph has already once obeyed God in the dark. He has taken Mary and the child and fled to Egypt on the basis of a dream and a word. Now, even though Herod is dead, the threat is not yet over. Archelaus reigns, and Joseph is afraid.
That detail is important. Scripture does not rebuke Joseph for his fear. It does not hold it against him. Instead, the text simply tells us what he does with that fear. He listens again. God speaks again. And Joseph changes course.
We see something deeply Lutheran in this verse about the nature of faith. Trust in God does not mean fear has left us. It means we act in trust while the fear remains. Joseph does not simply plow ahead to prove his bravery. He does not decide yesterday’s command must still apply today. He waits for God’s word, and when he hears it, he obeys it.
God’s leading here is not the stuff of spectacles. There is no public miracle, no rout of enemies. There is only quiet redirection. Galilee instead of Judea. A safer road. An unremarkable town. And yet it is by this lowly obedience that God shelters his Son and sustains his saving work.
For us, Matthew 2: 22 is a reminder that God often leads his people day by day. Yesterday’s obedience does not automatically fulfill today’s need to listen. Fear does not disqualify us from following. And God is at work even when the way forward looks like running or turning back.
Joseph does not know how this story ends. He only knows the next faithful step. And that is enough.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, you led Joseph through danger and uncertainty by your word. Teach us to trust you when the way is not clear, to listen when you speak, and to follow where you lead, even when we are still afraid. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above was created by Gemini (gemini.google.com)