Fresh Start Daily

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him. When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt…” Matthew 2:13-14

“Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead. Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.” Matthew 2:19-21

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth…” Matthew 2:22-23

We can see Joseph’s character in this story. He was obedient to God. Wherever and whenever God told him to go, he went without questioning. In chapter 1, we see how he honored Mary despite what he learned about her.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.” vv. 18-19

Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant but he didn’t know that Mary was pregnant because of the Holy Spirit. The word “betrothed” means engaged to be married. They were engaged. It must have hurt him deeply to know that Mary, his fiancée, got pregnant while they were planning (or preparing?) for the wedding. It says in verse 19 that he wanted to put her away.

Despite the pain, however, he showed how much of a gentleman he was. He did not want to destroy Mary’s reputation. Yes, he wanted to put her away, but he wanted to put her away “secretly”. He still protected Mary.

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.'” Matthew 1:20-21

“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and 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 1:24-25

What a beautiful soul Joseph was. He was obedient to God. He obeyed God’s command to take Mary. He obeyed to go to Egypt from Bethlehem, then to Israel. Because of his obedience, the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene was fulfilled (v. 23).

My devotion today helped me see the three wise men from a different perspective. I used to see them as just the three kings who followed the star and brought gifts to Jesus. When I was young, we called them the three magi or the three kings. Today I learned that they were actually astrologers/astronomers/philosophers.

“In later centuries down to New Testament times, the term [magoi] loosely covered a wide variety of men interested in dreams, astrology, magic, books thought to contain mysterious references to the future, and the like.” (Carson) enduringword.com

“Whatever it was, it is significant that God met them in their own medium: He guided the astronomers by a star. This was also in fulfillment of Numbers 24:17: A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. This was widely regarded by ancient Jewish scholars as a Messianic prediction.” enduringword.com

They saw the star and followed it. The star led them to Jesus. It must have stopped appearing because they went to Herod the king in Jerusalem. However, even that reroute, I believe, is part of God’s plan. They were able to get more information from Herod the king and we see the latter’s wickedness.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

“His star” — The star was the star of Jesus Christ. What they saw was the star of Jesus Himself and it guided them. Then the star re-appeared after meeting Herod.

“When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” Matthew 2:9

It’s amazing how the Lord guided them to where Jesus was exactly.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

“…and behold, the star which they had seen in the Easy went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” v. 9

“The words came to rest mean literally ‘came and stood’, and can mean only that the star itself moved to guide the Magi.” (France) enduringword.com

The wise men also gave presents to Jesus. They did not come unprepared. Of course their worship is the most important but because they knew they were going to see the King, they did not come empty-handed.

“When they worshipped, it was to give something – not empty-handed adoration.” enduringword.com

They traveled far not only to see Jesus but to worship Him. They even brought gifts for Him. Though they knew that they were going to see a Child, they persevered to see Him. They followed the star no matter what the cost.

They were expecting a Savior and they recognized young Jesus as the King of the Jews and they were joyful. They even “fell down and worshiped Him”.

Unlike the chief priests and scribes who knew where Jesus Christ was to be born, they didn’t bother coming to Him.

“And when he (Herod the king) had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea…” Matthew 2:4-5

Herod, who was jealous of the King of the Jews, wanted Jesus dead. Be ordered the wise men to look for Jesus and report back to him so he could “come and worship Him also”. It was a lie. Jesus was a threat to him because he didn’t want to surrender his kingship, his position and power.

“Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” v. 12

They obeyed the warning they received through their dream. They returned to their home country and did not report back to Herod.

We see a wonderful pattern: “Those who look for Jesus will see Him: those who truly see Him will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.” Spurgeon

My husband and I have a very unique love story. It’s not an isolated case but at the same time, it’s not what Christian communities expect for people to meet or maintain a relationship. Some say it’s not normal.

We’re not like other couples who had known each other for years before getting married. We didn’t meet in church. We’re not like those Christian couples who met in church while serving God. We’re not like those who were introduced by a common friend. Nothing like that.

Lelan and I didn’t have a long history before we got married. We had no friends in common. We are from opposite sides of the world. We are from different races. We speak different languages. We have different cultures and traditions.

When people ask me about how we met, there is a hesitation on my part to share our story because of people’s judgments. We didn’t meet organically. I tend to be very careful with my words so they will understand how Lelan and I happened.

The story of our meeting was like a whirlwind. However, remembering my prayers to God for a husband when I was still single, I can say that Lelan is an answered prayer albeit people’s doubts. When I was still single, I would always tell God that when I meet the right one for me, that we marry soon.

Although everything went fast for us, Lelan was gentle and respectful all along. I had said and done some things that could change his mind about me but he didn’t. I would always ask God then for a husband that is patient, kind, and gentle, and Lelan is all that. He has the qualities that I prayed to God for.

We live in different parts of the world, and people wonder how we make it work. I remembered asking God for someone who would cross oceans for me because that would mean (at least for me) that he is intentional and serious about pursuing me.

He travels back and forth the U.S. and the Philippines just to be with me. I mean, who am I? I’m not that special. 😅 However, because I am his wife, he takes the responsibility of a husband seriously. He overlooks the cost and the exhaustion from traveling halfway around the world several times a year for our marriage. I respect him for that.

God gave me a partner in the ministry. He gladly helps me in doing outreaches. He tries his best to be pleasing to the Lord. I don’t deserve my husband, but I am grateful. God knows what kind of man I need in a marriage. Lelan is not perfect (like me) but he is right for me, and I love him. When I look at him, I still can’t believe that God gave me a husband. He is an answered prayer.

I love him but I don’t idolize him. He is the Lord’s. Sometimes when I worry about him, I just lift him up to God because, really, he is HIS. If I love him, God loves him more. If I want him safe, God wants him safe more. I can only pray for him from a distance when we’re not together, but it is only the LORD who can really protect him from all kinds of harm at all times.

He is a gift that I don’t deserve but the Lord gave me because GOD is good. HE is the God who answers the prayers of HIS children–in HIS time. HE is the GOD who does not withhold the longings of HIS children’s heart. HE is the GOD who delivers HIS promises to those who trust in HIM.

My husband does not and will not replace God in my heart, and I know it’s the same for my husband. I don’t want us to be each other’s idol. God is a jealous God and HE doesn’t want anyone taking HIS place in our heart.

I was listening to a sermon this morning while doing the laundry. The pastor said, if your spouse dies, it’s okay. He quoted Alfred Lord Tennyson:

“‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

My prayer is for my husband to live long but no matter what happens, my hope is in the Lord. God will take care of me as He has done for many years. We may not be together all the time for now, but I learn a lot about being a wife when we’re together and even when we’re not.

When I miss my husband and long to be with him, I just think that I was able to wait for a long time to meet my husband. Waiting for us to be together eventually is nothing compared to waiting for God to send me a husband.

Maybe God allows us not to be together yet because HE is still moulding us. I know God will continue to mould us until HE calls us home, but HE knows why our spouse visa application process is taking longer. At this point, I am just waiting on the LORD for HIS decision. I am just trusting that when the time is right, my husband and I will never part anymore.

I am glad and content that GOD gave me a husband at all. We keep praying for us to be together sooner, but I am not stressing over when anymore.

People have different love stories and just because our story is not conventional, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t real. It’s amazing to me how God brought us together. He’s caucasian, I’m Asian. He lives in the U.S., I live in the Philippines. We are from opposite sides of the world, yet God allowed our paths to meet.

I am grateful that GOD allowed me to experience marriage. It is humbling me. I am learning that the purpose of marriage is to glorify God. Yes, we are together because we love each other but it’s not only about the two of us. It’s also about the One who brought (and keep bringing) us together. My prayer when I was still single was for my future marriage to give glory to the LORD, and my prayer remains the same today. I pray that our individual lives and our marriage will give glory to the ONE who deserves all the glory, honor, and praise.

My husband already left for the U.S. this evening. Before we parted at the airport, he said that he has a letter for me and he put it in (yes, inside) the fridge. He said he also wrote in my Bible (the Bible he gave me for our first wedding anniversary).

He first gave me the Morning and Evening devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon. He reads from four different devotionals and I told him that I like Morning and Evening. I didn’t know that he took note of that comment of mine.

Also, last month, I asked him if the journaling Bible (single column journaling Bible with a leather cover) that I showed him is available in the U.S. and he said that most of them are in ESV. I didn’t ask him to buy one for me but he remembered it. I was ecstatic when he gave me a journaling Bible in the New King James version. I could not contain my happiness. I was like a kid with her favorite toy when I received it. He said, “Look at you getting so excited over a gift.”

I really want to buy a journaling Bible but the ones available here in the Philippines are in ESV. I like writing and drawing in my Bible. I like highlighting, too. I write commentaries, prayers, notes, etc. I still love my old NKJV Bible but there’s no more space to write and draw. Haha. Anyway, now I don’t have to buy anymore. ❤️ I can already start my 3rd round of Bible reading. I know some people read the entire Bible once a year but I like to savor the Word.

Lelan is sweet. He remembers things that are important to me. I feel like my gifts for him are blah compared to his gifts for me. He doesn’t mind the cost of and the exhaustion from traveling from the U.S. to the Philippines and vice versa several times a year just for us to be together.

When I was still single, I asked God for someone who would cross the oceans for me and Lelan is exactly that person. He doesn’t mind the distance and the stress that comes with our temporary long-distance relationship. I asked that from God because for me, if a guy will travel far for me, it means that his intention is pure. It means that he believes I’m worth the distance and effort.

He is a gift from the Lord. He is an answered prayer. He is not perfect but he is trying his best to be pleasing to the Lord. (I’m not perfect either.) Lelan loves the Lord and he likes to obey His Word (the Holy Bible) and I respect him for that.

God gave him to me not because I deserve a good and godly man but because God is good. We serve a wonderful, awesome God! I miss my husband already… Airport goodbyes are the hardest.

I don’t mind sharing my husband’s first official letter for me.