He Protected, He Provided, He Persevered

 JOSEPH swung another load onto the donkey's back,  Picture his looking around at the darkened village of Bethlehem and patting the flank of a sturdy beast of burden. He was surely thinking of the long trip ahead.  Egypt! A foreign people, a foreign tongue, foreign customs-how would his little family adapt  to such much change?

It was not easy to tell the bad news to his beloved wife, Mary, but Joseph braced himself and did it.  He told her of the dream in which an angel delvered this message from God:  The king, Herod, wanted their little son dead!  They had to leave right away.  (Read Matthew 2:13, 14.) Mary was deeply  concerned. How could anyone want to kill her innocent, harmless child? Neither Mary nor Joseph could fanthom it. But they trusted in Jehovah, so they readied themselves.

Unaware of teh unfolding drama, Bethlehem slept as Joseph and Mary slipped out of the village in the darkness. Heading southwardm with the sky beginning to lighten in the east, Josephy likely wandere what lay ahead.  How could a lowly carepenter protect his family against forces so  powerful? Would he always be able to provide for his family? Would he manage to persevere in carrying out this heavy assignment that Jehovah had given him, to care and raise this unique child? Joseph faced daunting challenges. As  we consider how he rose to meet each one, we will see why fathers today-and all of us - need to imitate the faith of Joseph.

Next time: He Protected, He Provided, He Persevered - Joseph Protected His Family

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