This morning’s devotional really got me thinking about first time obedience, and how in Matthew 1:24-25, Joseph is a great example of what that looks like. Matthew 1:24 reads “then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him…” (NKJV). Joseph, upon learning that Mary was pregnant, planned to quietly divorce her. However, one night as he slept, Matthew tells us that an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and commanded him to take Mary as his wife. Matthew then tells us that Joseph “took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called his name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24b-25 NKJV).

Throughout these verses, Joseph demonstrated first time obedience, immediately agreeing to take Mary as his wife without questioning God’s commands. Joseph didn’t know what path lay ahead, or what the Lord had in store for him and his wife, but he trusted that the Lord had a plan and would see them through it all. In the end, Joseph’s obedience helped complete God’s plan to save the world from sin and separation from the Lord through his son Jesus Christ. In the same way, we would all be better off applying first time obedience in our lives, whether that be with God or with anyone in authority over us. We see that, as with Joseph, it may not be the easiest or most comfortable path to take but in the end, God will always use it to work out for the best in our lives.