Trust in God and focus on Jesus
by Maria Rudolph
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him (Matthew 2:13).
Happy New Year! What might this new year hold for you?
Consider Joseph of Nazareth. I wonder if he asked himself the same question after the sensational birth of Jesus. Joseph and his family were away from home in a makeshift ‘bedroom’ in a stable, visited by shepherds and, later, Magi with precious gifts. But there was also the looming threat of the murder of this newborn baby. What an unsettling time!
When Jesus entered Mary’s and Joseph’s life, Jesus became their focus. Their life choices became guided by his existence. If it were up to Mary and Joseph, they would have returned to Nazareth to live a quiet life after the census. But Herod was out to kill their baby, and they needed to sacrifice their comfort and stability for Jesus’ sake. They stepped into unknown territory and fled to Egypt. God spoke to Joseph in dreams, first reassuring him to marry pregnant Mary (Matthew 1:20), then guiding him to bring his family to safety in Egypt, and later back to Nazareth.
Admittedly, I wish God would clearly direct me in dreams too, so I could be sure of my next step. Do you? But was it really that straightforward for Joseph? Maybe God is already speaking to us through his word and Holy Spirit if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear. If only we have the courage of faith to follow God’s lead.
Be courageous like Joseph this year and step out boldly in faith. This new year will bring new challenges to your personal life, profession and church. I think it will involve stepping into unknown territory. And just like Joseph and his wife Mary, in all these situations, trusting God wholeheartedly and focusing on Jesus is all we need to do.
What new territory do you see ahead that you can intentionally pray into so that you might trust in God and focus on Jesus?
Loving Jesus, I pray for your guidance and blessing over each moment of 2023. I pray that you can help me trust and focus on you. Use me as your hands and feet and your eyes and mouthpiece wherever I go and whatever I do. When I enter unknown territory, reassure me with your presence. Help me to step out boldly in your name. Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
