Grace Over Grudges
Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Joseph had every right to be bitter. Betrayed, humiliated, his future shattered—yet he chose grace. Before God even explained the situation, Joseph decided to "divorce her quietly," protecting Mary from public disgrace. Resentment is the most worthless emotion; it changes nothing about the past but steals everything from your present. Who has wounded you? What hurt are you rehearsing repeatedly? Joseph's character was tested in his pain, and he passed by choosing compassion over revenge. Forgiveness isn't about whether someone deserves it—neither do we, yet God forgives us anyway. Release that person today. Not for their sake alone, but for yours. Let grace replace grudges, and watch joy return.
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Joseph had every right to be bitter. Betrayed, humiliated, his future shattered—yet he chose grace. Before God even explained the situation, Joseph decided to "divorce her quietly," protecting Mary from public disgrace. Resentment is the most worthless emotion; it changes nothing about the past but steals everything from your present. Who has wounded you? What hurt are you rehearsing repeatedly? Joseph's character was tested in his pain, and he passed by choosing compassion over revenge. Forgiveness isn't about whether someone deserves it—neither do we, yet God forgives us anyway. Release that person today. Not for their sake alone, but for yours. Let grace replace grudges, and watch joy return.
Posted in Daily Devotions
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