An Exemplary Joseph

He planned to put her away secretly

As an upright man, he kept her testimony

Before acting upon his choice

He was more obedient to God's voice

It was a walk of faith and shame

Bearing Christ's reproach, his solemn aim

A faithful husband, pure to his virgin wife

He displays an exemplary, self-disciplined life

Obedient once to the heavenly dream

His life, thereafter, sacrificed to this theme

Visions of courage, warnings to flee

From Bethlehem to Egypt, to Nazareth of Galilee

By kings and kingdoms, pursued all his life

But he waits for God's visions, living with strife

God's word must be fulfilled, in life or death

He lived for it, traversing length, and breadth

An upright and obedient Joseph before us

May we, like him, fulfil God’s Word, fearless

 _____ James Nair, Chattisgarh

Anecdote:

Lost Son

Raymond Maufrais, a young explorer, tried to travel to Brazil from Guyana on foot, taking a route through one of the least known areas of the world.  For a time, regular news was received from him until he disappeared without a trace.

Convinced that his son was still alive, his father decided to go in search of him. For nine long years, disregarding all obstacles, dangers, and difficulties, he searched for him in desperation.

Through the depths of the virgin forests, on the mountain tops, he went calling out his son’s name at every opportunity. He cut his name in the bark of trees and left several messages in bottles. Completely overwhelmed by the desire to find his son, he disregarded hunger and thirst and the constant threat to his life from native tribes, wild beasts, and snakes.

 Finally, ruined, broken–hearted and aged with grief, he gave up and returned home. “Leave me alone,” he said to those who praised him for his courage, “I’m just a poor man who has lost his son.”

Source: Unknown

Worhty Quotes:  

“You may not agree with the traditions of others, but are you as devoted to God’s Word as they are to their traditions?”

Warren W. Wiersbe

“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord. And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.”