Oh No! What do We Do Now? Week 1 : When It is Tough to Obey

This is a 5 day devotional based off of the message:

Day 1: When God Asks the Impossible

Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Devotional: Joseph faced an impossible situation—his fiancée was pregnant, and he knew the child wasn't his. Yet when God spoke, Joseph chose obedience over understanding. How often do we demand all the details before we'll trust God? Joseph teaches us that faith doesn't require a complete roadmap; it requires a willing heart. Today, God may be asking you to step into something that doesn't make sense. Perhaps it's forgiving someone who hurt you deeply, or taking a risk in ministry, or addressing a hidden sin. You don't need to see the entire staircase—just take the first step. Remember: obedience is your responsibility; the outcome is God's.

Day 2: Obedience Without All the Answers

Reading: Proverbs 3:5-8

Devotional: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Joseph didn't know about the journey to Bethlehem, the flight to Egypt, or the weight of raising God's Son. He simply obeyed with the information he had. We often stall our obedience waiting for more clarity, more confirmation, more comfort. But God rarely reveals the entire plan upfront. He reveals the next step. What has God already shown you through His Word that you haven't acted on? Maybe it's serving in your church, being generous with your resources, or having a difficult conversation. Stop waiting to know more. Start doing more with what you already know. Faith flourishes in the space between God's command and our complete understanding.

Day 3: The Cost of Saying Yes

Reading: Luke 14:25-33

Devotional: Joseph's obedience came with a price tag—public shame, questions about his character, and a lifetime of explaining. Following Jesus isn't a comfortable path; it's a costly one. When you obey God, expect opposition. Spiritual resistance often confirms you're moving in the right direction. The enemy doesn't waste energy on inactive believers. If you're facing pushback for your faith, for standing on biblical truth, for choosing righteousness over popularity—you're in good company. Joseph could have chosen his reputation over God's will. What is obedience costing you right now? Your comfort? A relationship? Your pride? Count the cost, yes—but also count the privilege of being used by God for something eternal.

Day 4: Life Is Measured in Moments

Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Devotional: We won't remember every detail of this year, but we'll remember specific moments—the times we said yes to God or the times we didn't. Joseph's single moment of obedience positioned him to be part of humanity's greatest story: the birth of our Savior. Your obedience today, in this moment, could set something eternal in motion. That prompting to text someone encouragement, to give sacrificially, to confess a struggle, to start serving—these aren't random thoughts. They're divine appointments. Years from now, you may look back and see how one moment of tough obedience changed everything. Or you might wonder what you missed by hesitating. Make today's moments count. Be obedient to what God is stirring in your heart right now.

Day 5: Jesus—The Reason for Our Obedience

Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

Devotional: Why did Joseph obey? Because the angel told him this child would "save His people from their sins." Jesus is the reason. Born without sin so He could die for our sins. Every act of obedience in our lives flows from this reality—we've been forgiven much, so we love much. Your lust, jealousy, unfaithfulness, pride—His grace covers it all. There is no sin too great for God's grace. When obedience feels hard, remember what Jesus did for you. He obeyed all the way to the cross so you could be forgiven and freed. Let that fuel your obedience today. Whatever God is asking of you pales in comparison to what He's already done for you. Respond to His grace with grateful obedience, and watch what He does through your willing heart.