Righteous Faith

Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash.

What does exercising righteousness look like? How are we to be faithful when we encounter disappointments, the unknown and the uncertain?

It takes integrity, righteousness, and faith to do what is right when we encounter difficulties and challenges which we cannot understand or see clearly.

This righteous faith was the case with Joseph when he encountered the dynamics around Jesus’ birth. Joseph had a real crisis of faith and integrity concerning the circumstances of Jesus’ birth, and Joseph did what was right when he encountered God’s call.

The gospel of Matthew tells us, “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.” (Matthew 1:18-19, ESV).

According to Jewish law, Joseph had every right to have Mary publicly shamed and punished for becoming pregnant before they were married, not knowing what God was doing and not understanding God’s plan.

Considering the circumstance, Joseph chose to protect Mary and to put her away quietly. Joseph was a man of great integrity and righteousness who displayed the love of God and the grace of God.

Like Joseph, may we be people of integrity and righteous faith, regardless of what uncertain and difficult circumstances we may encounter.

A Collect for Faith: “Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash.