Daily Devotional (GPS)
Prayer Tip--Joseph, Patron Saint of…
Daily Scripture
Matthew 1:18-21, 24-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”… When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Joseph had a plan. It was thoughtful, careful, and even compassionate—a quiet dismissal that would spare Mary from shame and himself from scandal. Joseph’s approach to an unexpected and messy situation was, by all accounts, the response of a righteous man. But then, God stepped in.
Through a dream, an angel revealed a bigger plan—one Joseph couldn’t have imagined on his own. The child Mary carried was not a mistake, but a miracle. Joseph wasn’t being asked to clean up a mess, but to embrace a mission: to parent the Savior of the world.
Imagine the courage it took for Joseph to trust the voice of God, to step into a future that didn’t look anything like his original plan. It’s not just his obedience that’s remarkable—it’s his faith. In the face of fear, uncertainty, and public judgment, Joseph allowed God to change his plan.
How often do we find ourselves clinging to our own well-laid plans? We hold tight to what feels safe, predictable, and manageable. But what if, like Joseph, we listened for God’s voice in the unexpected moments? What if we trusted that God’s plan—even when it disrupts our own—is for something greater?
This Advent season, as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ, let Joseph’s story remind us that the interruptions in our lives might just be God’s invitations.
Prayer Tip:
Tonight, take a few moments before bed to reflect on your day. Ask God to speak into your life, just as the angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. Pray the prayer below, and mean it. Then rest, trusting that God can meet you in the quiet spaces, just as He did with Joseph.
May you find the courage to embrace God’s plans, trusting that they are always for your good—and the good of the world.
Prayer
GPS Insights
Max Franks
This week's prayer tip is by Max Franks, who serves as a Connection & Care Pastor at Resurrection's Leawood location.
What is the GPS?
Resurrection offers a free tool for those who wish to read the Bible daily. Our Grow/Pray/Study guide (GPS) provides a Bible reading, Scripture reflections based on the passage, inspirational quotes from leading Bible scholars, questions to help readers apply the Bible to their faith journey, and a daily prayer guide at the end of each day’s reflection. Many readers have told us the GPS has strengthened their spiritual growth and helped them better understand how to let the Bible guide them in Christian living.
