Message Three: "From Despair To Delight"

FROM DESPAIR TO DELIGHT
By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 1:18-21

A newlywed was asked, “How do you like being married?” “Getting married is fine,” she exclaimed excitedly. “But,” she added sadly, “doesn’t it get tedious?”

There wasn’t anything boring about a certain marriage that shook the world many years ago. It went from despair to delight by way of a dream, and the leading actors were a virgin, a carpenter, a baby boy and an angel.

Marriages in that day were different from what they are in this day. They had three steps. First, there was an engagement. It was often made when the male and the female were children, and it was usually made through the parents or a professional matchmaker. Many times the couple never saw each other.

Second, there was the betrothal. Until this time the young lady could have broken the engagement if she was unwilling to go through with it. But once the betrothal was entered into, it was binding, and it lasted for one year. During this period the couple were known as husband and wife, but they didn’t have the rights of husband and wife. The only way this could have been terminated was by divorce.

Third, there was the marriage proper. This took place at the end of the year of betrothal.
Can’t you imagine Joseph’s distress when he discovered that the one whom he loved, the one to whom he was engaged, the one with whom he had no marital relations, was pregnant? To him it appeared that his bride-to-be was an adulteress. His hopes were shattered. His dreams collapsed. The sweetness of delight turned to bitterness of despair. Life that had so happily beckoned him now became a dead end of horror. He felt he couldn’t go through with the marriage. So he decided to break the engagement, but to do it quietly, for he didn’t want to publicly disgrace Mary.

What a desire he had! You must remember that as a Jew, Joseph lived by the law of Moses. According to the Mosaic law, Mary should have been stoned to death. That’s the meaning of the expression in Matthew 1:19 “a public example.” Had Joseph announced that Mary should be stoned, no one would have blamed him. However, the law provided for a lesser cause, one where Joseph could put Mary away privately by giving her a bill of divorcement. And this is what he decided to do.

But look at his dream. As he lay on his bed considering this, he fell into a dream. Suddenly an angel appeared to him. “Joseph, son of David,” said the angel, “don’t hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (meaning Savior), for He shall save His people from their sins.” Jesus had a body like ours, with bone and muscle and blood, lungs that breathed air, a digestive system that became hungry, a body which grew weary and needed sleep. In all points He was like you and me, but without sin.

For Jesus to be without sin, the virgin birth was essential. Only in this way could Jesus be human, and yet sinless.

Now look at his delight. When Joseph awoke, he was thrilled. No words can describe his joy. Mary wasn’t unfaithful after all. Rather she was true to the Lord. Mary had faced shame, the danger of losing her husband-to-be, yes, even death itself to do the will of the Lord! So, without any hesitation or reservation, Joseph did as the Lord had commanded. Let us learn a lesson from this experience and trust God when we can’t understand. Joseph’s despair was produced when he drew a conclusion with insufficient information. But when he knew all the facts, he glorified God. Walk by faith! And in just the right time God will make all things plain. I’m so glad that Joseph believed God and was obedient to Him. Won’t you, too, believe Him and obey Him?

In closing, look at the deliverance. What’s the greatest work of Jesus? Is it governing the nations of the world? No. Is it guiding the planets of the solar system? No. Is it giving directions to angels? No. It’s saving souls. That’s why He came into this world. That’s why He was named Jesus. It means Savior. Alexander may build an empire. Newton may bring about an intellectual revolution. Edison may create a world of science. But only Jesus can save our souls.

Tell me, wouldn’t you like for Him to save your soul? Then receive Him now as your Savior. The Bible says, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God.”

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.