(The following is the January 2 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 2 and pay close attention to verses 13-15 and 19-23.)

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and instructed him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Herod was about to issue a decree to massacre all boys two years old and under who lived in and around Bethlehem in an attempt to kill Jesus. There was no time to waste, and the angel told Joseph what to do. Joseph didn’t wait for the morning sun to start the journey. He obeyed immediately in the middle of the night. They stayed in Egypt until after Herod’s death, when an angel again visited Joseph and told him it was safe to return. A subsequent dream warned them about where to go, and they settled in Nazareth.

In both fleeing and returning, Joseph obeyed immediately. He didn’t stop to question. He didn’t list the pros and cons of doing what the angel said. Nor did he wait to run the idea by a few friends or advisors for their input. God’s messenger spoke, and Joseph obeyed.

How often do we obey God immediately when he speaks to us? Few of us will experience an angelic appearance in a dream or face to face, instructing us what to do. However, we have something Joseph did not have – the written Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. Our heavenly Father inspired the writers of Scripture with reliable truth, and we are wise to believe and obey it.

We cannot wait for an angel to appear before we obey God’s Word. We should read it, do as it says, and do it immediately. Justin Peters said, “You want to hear God speak to you? Read your Bible. If you want to hear God speak to you audibly, read it out loud.” *

If we read the Word of God with a heart seeking Christ and his truth, he will speak to us. When he does, will we promptly obey?

Next Step:
Reflect on times when you sensed God leading you to follow or serve him in a specific way. Did you obey immediately or not? What were the consequences of immediate obedience compared to delaying or refusing to obey? What advice would you give someone facing a similar situation?

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* Justin Peters, “Justin Peters: How to hear God’s voice today?” May 15, 2015, video, 44:16, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JItLcIFL2F8.