Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (which means, God with us)." (ESV)
When life becomes uncertain, it is easy to wonder where God is. Joseph found himself in that exact situation. His plans had been disrupted, his heart was hurting, and the future seemed unclear. Yet in the middle of his confusion, God reminded him of an important truth: God was with him.
The same is true for us today.
1. God Knows Your Identity
Joseph was heartbroken and uncertain about the future. Yet when God spoke to him, He reminded Joseph who he was.
Matthew 1:20
"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'"
Notice that the angel addressed him as "Joseph, son of David." God didn't identify Joseph by his struggle or circumstances. He identified him by his lineage and purpose.
God never starts with the circumstances you're dealing with; He starts with who you are.
What Joseph felt and what God knew were two completely different things. Joseph felt confusion and uncertainty, but God saw a chosen man with a divine assignment.
The same is true for us. God defines us by what He says about us, not by what we're currently experiencing.
God sees you as redeemed, forgiven, loved, and called.
We see this principle throughout Scripture.
Judges 6:12
"And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.'"
Gideon was hiding in fear when God called him a mighty warrior. God spoke to Gideon's identity, not his circumstances.
God knew your identity before you were ever created.
Psalm 139:14
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Before you knew who you were, God already did.
2. God Knows Your Doubts
Matthew 1:20
"But as he considered these things..."
Joseph was wrestling with questions. He was trying to make sense of a situation that didn't make sense.
Joseph doubted because he was human, not because he was weak.
The truth is that God knows every fear, every anxiety, and every question that keeps us awake at night.
Some of us can turn one small problem into a ten-episode Netflix series in our minds. We replay every scenario, every possibility, and every worst-case outcome.
But while we're worrying about tomorrow, God is already there.
Revelation 1:8
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
God always is.
He was there before your problem arrived, He is with you in it right now, and He has already seen the other side of it.
God is not worried about your tomorrow because He's already there.
3. God Knows Your Destiny
Joseph thought he was trying to survive a scandal.
God knew Joseph was participating in one of the greatest stories ever told.
Joseph saw confusion.
God saw purpose.
Joseph saw interruption.
God saw destiny.
God was inviting Joseph into something bigger than himself.
Many times, we only see scattered pieces of our lives, but God sees the finished picture.
He sees what He's building long before we do.
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
This doesn't mean everything that happens is good. It means God is able to work through everything for His purpose and our good.
God wasn't simply helping Joseph get through a difficult season. He was positioning him to be part of His redemptive plan.
The same God who guided Joseph is guiding you.
Conclusion
God doesn't always give us perfect circumstances.
He gives us His presence.
He doesn't promise that every road will be easy, but He promises that we will never walk it alone.
When you have God, you have hope.
And hope has a name.
Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (which means, God with us)."
No matter what you're facing today, remember this truth:
God knows your identity.
God knows your doubts.
God knows your destiny.
And above all else—
God is with you.
