Eugene Peterson, wrote a great book entitled, “A Long Obedience In The Same Direction.” Joseph, the earthly father of our Lord, is a great example of such a thought. Each time the angel brings instruction to Joseph he immediately responds, even if it means getting up to leave in the middle of the night. Even if it means to leave his own national home and become a refugee in another country, he is willing. Even if obedience means a tarnished reputation for himself, he is ready to respond. God does forgive us when we fail, but He desires servants who are set on a lifelong pattern of obedience. Lord, may it be so in my life!
“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13–15 ESV)
