righteousness

Life is hard. I think we all know and agree on that. So when things go your way, it helps, and feels good too. The world calls this ”Catching a break”, but as a child of God, I call it “Favor”.

Monday: I started having an issue with the pilot light on the water heater staying lit, so I called a plumber.

Tuesday: The plumber came out, and upon further inspection he recommended replacing the whole tank and not just the part that controls the pilot light. This was due to the age of the water heater that was in place. I agreed.

Problem: Due to a shortage of plumbers available to hire, and to an overabundance of work that was needing to be completed I was looking at being without hot water for a week, perhaps longer.

Wednesday: It started raining. And it rained.

Thursday: The plumber showed up first thing in the morning and installed a new water heater. Apparently, all that rain prevented the plumbing company from being able to work on their prior jobs, and my job got moved up. When the scheduling guy called and told me the good news he said, “You caught a break.” After I got off the phone, I begin thanking God for favor.

As I have started getting familiar with “favor” I have learned as a child of God I can actually ask for it. I have also noticed that it can come in many different “flavors” or ways. As a need comes up, or you are about to call, or go into a place of business I now pray and ask God for favor to be bestowed upon me, and it usually is. When it is, I am grateful and thank God for it, but favor is also bestowed to those who live a life that is in right standing with God.

Here is how favor is gained:

^1–2My child, if you truly want a long and satisfying life,
    never forget the things that I’ve taught you.
    Follow closely every truth that I’ve given you.
    Then you will have a full, rewarding life.
³Hold on to loyal love and don’t let go,
    and be faithful to all that you’ve been taught.
    Let your life be shaped by integrity,^[a]
    with truth written upon your heart.
⁴That’s how you will find favor and understanding
    with both God and men—
    you will gain the reputation of living life well. Prov. 3:1-4 (TPT)

“Again, God thank you for favor with men. Living by your ways, and commands really does make life easier, bearable.” Now, I’m going to go take a hot shower!

Joseph. A good man, in fact, a righteous man. “Righteous”, a $12 dollar word which means, in right standing with God. A smart man, reasonable in his dealing with people. How do I know this? Simple. By reading the scriptures.

You see, when Mary told him she was pregnant, he of course was shocked and bewildered. How could she do this to him? And before they were to get married. Did she truly love him, or was she marrying him for some other reason? Men seem to have a hard time trusting women ever since the fall of Adam and Eve. Due to the curse of sin men and women have had issues relating.

Back to him being a good man, he decided to end the engagement privately hoping it would save Mary and her family public embarrassment, but people talk and would have found out anyway. Especially when Mary would start showing from her pregnancy. But then:

^20-23While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

^24-25Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus. Mat. 1:20-25 (MSG)

Because Joseph was a God fearing man, he obeyed, and he too begin looking for Jesus. Can you imagine what he was going through? A new husband to a woman who has found favor with the God of the universe and is now carrying His son. I’m sure Joseph had more questions than answers. What do I do with him? Do I teach him how to be a carpenter, like me? Teach him about wood and nails? Many people have questions when they accept Jesus, and that’s okay, but Joseph accepted Jesus, and he accepted God’s plan.

Look for Jesus. You will find him, because He has already found you. Don’t get hung up on the details. Don’t try to figure out God’s plan with your mind, because you never will fully understand it, but trust me, it’s all about love. Love for the people of the world. Love for you.