Through no fault of his own Joseph finds himself in a mess. The woman he plans to marry shows up pregnant, and he knows he is not the father. She claims that she is still a virgin. He had every right to be angry, leave and embarrass her. The scripture says Joseph was an honorable man. He didn’t want to disgrace her, so he decided to quietly break off the engagement, but then he had this weird dream. So Joseph did what the angel told him to do in the dream, and he took Mary as his wife. Joseph was a man of principle. Maybe that is why God chose him to be the earthly father of Jesus. He was someone God knew could be trusted. I had a great father. He was not perfect. He was tough but fair. He loved me unconditionally. He taught me most of the useful things I have learned in my life. The one thing I remember most about my father was he was a man of honor and principle. If he made a promise, he kept it. He would do the right thing no matter what. I can’t think of a better legacy a someone can leave a child than a legacy of honor. A life, marriage and freedom without honor is a mess. Joseph made decisions of honor. If you want to live a peace-filled, purpose-filled, difference-making life, then do the right thing. Live by the principle of honor.
– Dr. Tim Thompson