Elect Lady's Corner

Back in the 60s there was a common street slang that said: “Give me my propers” which meant give me the respect or appreciation that I deserve for what I have done.” We live in a society where people can be so recognition oriented. Yes, I believe people should be given recognition for deeds done and not taken advantage of. But, when it’s demanded to inflate your own ego or position and to make others feel subservient to you, it can get out of hand. 

So, it is better to thank God for even allowing you to be trusted with greatness or abilities, and you should therefore walk in humility until God exalts you in due time. In the end ask yourself: “Was the God mission accomplished or were you accomplished in the task?” This subject I’m sharing with you, came about as I was taking some Bible time with the Lord, and I ran across the scripture in Matthew 1:16 that spoke of Joseph, the husband of Mary. 

As I read it, I thought to myself, Joseph is one of the most overlooked persons in the Bible who was trusted with greatness but without much recognition; and yet he remained loyal to his calling from God. That really got my attention! First of all, the verse read: “And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called the Christ.” 

So, I discovered, Joseph was not only born from the genealogy of Christ, but his father had the same name as the patriarch Jacob i.e. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Also, Joseph had the same name as the patriarch Jacob’s son whose name was Joseph. This Joseph, who was the youngest son of Jacob’s 12 sons (besides Benjamin) who was the greatest of all the sons of Jacob by preserving their lives. 

And we find that Joseph, Mary’s husband is also used greatly to preserve the life of Mary from being stoned as an unwed Mother, as well as preserving the life of baby Jesus whom she was carrying; who became the Savior of the world.  Now, Joseph, Mary’s husband could have boasted of his contributions to Mary and Jesus’ greatness, or resented the fact that he did not receive the recognition due him. 

He did not expose Mary as an unmarried Mother. He cared for her during her entire pregnancy. He was there with her when Jesus was born and reared Jesus as his own son. Joseph could be trusted with greatness without recognition and yet remain loyal! Of all the men on the face of the earth, Joseph was chosen to be the one to represent Jesus as His earthly father; Jesus being the Son of God. 

Who on earth has ever been given that kind of recognition and honor from the Almighty God? Joseph was truly a “just man” as stated by the scriptures and did not take God’s glory or try to share in the glory. When Joseph was engaged to Mary and discovered she was “with child,” Matthews 1:19 stated this was his response towards this unexpected news: “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.” 

The NLT said: “Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.” God had to have the right man to not take on a rage or have vengeance towards Mary; but one who could hear the voice of God. So, God spoke to Joseph in Matthew 1:20 which said: “But while he thought on these things behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary, thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”  

Now, it’s one thing to hear the voice of God, but it’s just as important how you respond to it. Matthew 1:24 gave us Joseph’s response: “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:” So, Joseph never demanded: “Give me my propers” for what I have done. Some people may have counted the months and realized that Jesus was not Joseph’s biological son, or looked at his new wife as a fornicator, which would have brought shame and disgrace to Joseph. 

But Joseph could be trusted with greatness without recognition, and yet remain loyal to God. What about you? Can God trust you with great abilities and gifts and you not demand the glory or honor from them? Or can God give you the privilege to be trusted with greatness without recognition and you remain loyal? If He can, great is your reward in heaven!