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December 19, 2024 15 mins

Joseph and Mary are almost to Bethlehem, but a storm has come to knock them off course. They endure a near-death experience to finally arrive where they are meant to be.

Today's Bible verse is Philippians 1:6, from the King James Version.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Being confident of this very thing, that he who began
a good work in you will complete it until the
day of Jesus Christ Philippians won six. Dear Lord, we
know that there is no circumstance that could ever thwart
the mighty work You've been doing in our lives. You

(00:20):
are determined to redeem us and restore the broken parts
of our lives. We recognize that the process of sanctification
and growth takes time. Give us patience when we are discouraged,
Give us endurance when the storms of life seek to
throw us off course. The story of Christmas, the arrival

(00:45):
of your son, reminds us that your plans take time
to come to fruition, but they are worth the weight.
So here we are, Lord, waiting on you and declaring
trust in your timing. We love you and praise you

(01:06):
in all seasons in Jesus' name. Amen.

Speaker 2 (01:11):
Joseph tossed and turned in his sleep. The vivid dream
God gave him before he married Mary flooded back into
his mind, the dream he had when the angels spoke
to him about Jesus. The lightning flashed again with a piercing light,
and Joseph immediately found himself elsewhere. He was at the

(01:31):
base of a cave carved into the side of a mountain.
All was quiet, and the only light source was from
within the cave. Joseph followed the faint glimmer, keeping his
balance on the cave's jagged walls. As he inched closer,
the air became warmer, like a room filled with the
comfort of a fireplace. The entire cave became filled with
the scent of frankinsense, and myrrh. As Joseph navigated the cave,

(01:55):
he could hear the sound of a child's cry, then
a hushing lullaby. The voice singing was gentle and soft,
like the evening spring breeze. Joseph knew that voice.

Speaker 1 (02:05):
Mary, is that you?

Speaker 2 (02:07):
He gasped. Joseph picked up his pace and rounded the
corner towards the light. But before he could see anything,
the cave flooded with water, and Joseph found himself swimming
for his life amidst a violent storm in the middle
of the sea. Joseph awoke in a cold sweet He
held his chest and looked over at Mary, sound asleep.

(02:28):
He looked at the horizon, foreboding storm clouds were galloping
in from the east. Joseph rose and began to prepare
the donkey for a quick escape. He wasn't sure why
God had returned the vision to him, but he knew
better than to ignore his dreams.

Speaker 3 (02:44):
Hello, I'm Pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the
Bible and a Year Podcast. In our previous episodes, Mary
and Joseph endured robbery, marital tension, and injuries. Ultimately, they
grew stronger because of it. This episode, it will take
us through the final few days of Mary and Joseph's
journey to Bethlehem. And although they've endured many trials already,

(03:09):
the worst is yet to come. A storm is brewing
in the distance. Will Mary be able to endure the
weather this late in her pregnancy. Joseph has faced robbers
to protect Mary, but can he face the monsoon. Let's
immerse ourselves in this story and put ourselves in their shoes.
Let's consider the storms in our lives that seek to

(03:31):
knock us off course. How do we respond to difficulty
in despair? We'll answer those questions and more afterward. Let's
dive into this dramatic story of Mary and Joseph's final
day on the road to Bethlehem.

Speaker 2 (03:49):
Mary awoke to the sound of thunder. The winds picked up,
bringing a foreboding message a storm was coming. Joseph was
already awake and securing the straps on donkey. Do you
think the storm will travel south, Mary asked, gesturing to
the lightning in the distance. Joseph looked out and shook
his head. He felt his chest tighten. The winds are

(04:10):
blowing westward. I'm no sailor, but I think I can
confidently say this storm is headed our way. Joseph pointed
forward to the hills overlooking the valley. There should be
some wind caves tucked into those hills. We shall find
shelter before it's too late. Joseph's voice was broken and anxious.
Mary stood up and held her back. Lately, her body

(04:32):
had been feeling tense and uneasy. She had a feeling
Jesus would soon be on his way. She squeezed Joseph's hand.
Storms may come, she said, her voice gentle but with
underlying steel, But they will also pass.

Speaker 1 (04:48):
We will weather this together.

Speaker 2 (04:50):
Joseph nodded and looked up. The sunrise was covered by darkness.
The winds churned them up like sand, under waves, thunder rumble,
echoing the restless heartbeats of every creature on the land.
Birds retreated to their nests, and animals scurried back to
their burrows. Yet Joseph and Mary were exposed. The rains

(05:12):
descended with violent force, and the winds howled with anger.
Joseph drove his feet into the mud and guided Mary
and the donkey through the winding hills leading up to
some caves. The pass up to the caves was steep.
Joseph marched up with all his might, but the ground
beneath him gave way with every step. Before they could
reach the top, Joseph slipped onto a moving stone. Joseph.

(05:36):
Mary gasped as she watched him slide down the jagged
edge of the hill. Mary quickly dismounted the donkey and
reached for him, but Joseph slipped right through her fingers.
He slid down the rocky slope, but caught himself on
a route buried in the ground. Ah Joseph gasped in pain.
The rain beat mercilessly as he tried to pull himself up,

(05:56):
but the mud and falling rocks weighed heavy on his body.
Marry he shouted, but the thunder and rain drowned out
his voice. Joseph feared he couldn't hold on much longer.
Hold on, Mary shouted, she had to act before Joseph
fell over the edge. She tore her shawl in blankets
and fastened them to a rope. She tied one end
to the donkey and another to a heavy branch. Joseph,

(06:18):
she cried, her voice barely discernible through the storm. Grab
onto this. She tossed the branch down to Joseph, and
he grabbed hold. Mary took the reins of the donkey
and led it up the hill. The donkey slowly pulled
through the rain and muck. Joseph was pulled back over
the ledge as Mary marched with the donkey. Mary ran
to him and grabbed his face. Are you okay, she panted.

(06:40):
I think so, Joseph said, with a weary smile. The
rain hadn't let up, and the ground underneath them was flooding.
Joseph pointed towards an opening in the mountain. Get to
the caves, he yelled. Mary helped Joseph to his feet
and put his arm around her shoulders. The two of
them took the donkey and limped to a nearby cave.
It wasn't warm or comfortable, but it was safe from

(07:02):
the onslaught of wind and rain. As the rain intensified,
the cave became a sanctuary, its walls muting the storm's roar. Inside,
the dim light painted shadows that danced to the storm's song.
Mary wrapped herself in the tattered remains of the blankets
and settled down. Exhaustion was evident in her every movement.

(07:23):
Joseph wrapped his arms around her, worried the worst wasn't over.
An hour passed, and each moment seemed to last a lifetime.
Amidst the storm's cacophony, Mary's voice began to sing a
soft lullaby. She sang of hope, journeys, and love that endures.
The cave amplified its healing notes. Joseph listened to her singing,

(07:46):
lost in thought and affection for his wife. Then his
memory flooded with images of the dream God had given him.
He remembered hearing Mary's voice singing softly in a cave
before he was swept up in water. Joseph's eyes widened
and his ears perked up to the sound of rushing
water behind them, Mary, he interrupted, We need to leave now.

(08:08):
What's wrong, Mary asked, but before Joseph could respond, a
flash flood of monsoon water began to burst through the
opposite end of the cave. Joseph scooped Mary up in
his arms and ran outside. The floodwaters burst through the
cave behind them, nearly knocking them on to the jagged rocks.
Joseph rounded the corner of the rocks and sprang up
with Mary still in his arms. He got at a

(08:31):
safety on the hill's summit and slid down to retrieve
the donkey. He pulled at its reins, forcing it forward
and on to the stones with them. Joseph wrapped himself
over Mary, the only covering between her and the raging
winds hell purslrd. Mary whimpered. The two prayed silently and
held each other close, the sound of rushing water below

(08:51):
them and howling winds above. The two prayed silently and
held each other close, the sound of rushing water below
them and howling winds above. The storm roared louder as
if sensing the challenge, but Marry and Joseph.

Speaker 1 (09:05):
Didn't lose hope.

Speaker 2 (09:06):
They continued in prayer and lifted up a shout of
praise to God. Slowly, but surely, the worst of the
storm left. As dawn approached, the wind waned. The first
rays of sunlight pierced the dark clouds outside the cave.
The wilderness was transformed. Puddles shimmered like mirrors reflecting the sky,

(09:26):
and the fresh and invigorating air seemed to promise new beginnings.
Joseph and Mary looked up taking in the world, reborn.
The trials of their journey, though harsh, had also been transformative.
Like the desert after the storm, they too were renewed.
Their bond was stronger than ever. The storm had been

(09:47):
a reminder of life's unpredictability and the enduring power of faith, love,
and hope. Now high in the sky, the sun cast
its golden glow over the land, guiding Mary and Joseph
on their journey. Bethlehem was in sight. Their footsteps, those
small in the vastness of the valley, were steps towards
a future that would change the course of human history.

Speaker 3 (10:19):
The storms of life often come with little warning, leaving
us to scramble for shelter, security, and sanity. As the
winds whip and the rains pour. We may feel battered,
broken and defeated, but the storms we face in life
are meant to strengthen us. Just as in the moving

(10:41):
depiction of Mary and Joseph facing a literal storm on
their way to Bethlehem, we're reminded that it is not
the trials themselves, but how we respond to them that
shapes our faith. In this biblical fiction, Joseph's wisdom and
Mary's steadfast face are anchors during their ordeal. The unexpected

(11:04):
trials they endure magnified their trust in God and their
love for one another. As we face our storms, let
us also recognize the hand of God working in our lives,
guiding us, strengthening us, and even using these challenges to
transform us. In the story, Mary and Joseph's faith is tested,

(11:28):
yet instead of succumbing to fear, they embrace the storm.
The storms of life aren't inevitable. There is no avoiding
hard times. The choice we have is how we endure them.
Mary's words, storms may come, but they also pass. Will
weather this together speak of hope, resilience, and confidence in

(11:53):
God's faithfulness. Paul echoes this in Philippians chapter one, verse six, saying,
be confident of this that He who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion until
the day of Christ Jesus. This promise encourages us to
recognize that even the strongest storms will not thwart the

(12:15):
work God wants to do in our lives. Throughout the
harrowing experience, Joseph and Mary's bond is their greatest strength.
They support and encourage each other, reflecting the importance of
community in our own lives. In our walk with Christ,
we need to surround ourselves with those who will lift

(12:37):
us up, pray for us, and remind us of God's promises.
Think for a moment about your fondest Christmas memories. I
would guess that those memories rarely involve specific gifts you received,
but rather the people you were surrounded by and the
bond you shared. The Christmas season often reminds us that

(12:58):
loving community is greater than the gifts we can receive.
While the world relies on comfort and material possessions, we
rely on the loving embrace of God and the community
he surrounds us with. This episode also highlights prayer and
praise as a weapon against despair. Mary and Joseph's response

(13:22):
to the crisis is marked by prayer and praise. They
call upon the Lord and even shout praises amidst the
raging storm. This illustrates a profound truth. Prayer and praise
are powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal. They shift our
focus from the problem to the provider, from the storm

(13:45):
to the Savior. After the storm, the wilderness is transformed,
and so are Mary and Joseph. They emerge renewed, their
bond stronger, their faith deepened. Similarly, the storms in our
lives can lead to transformation. As we trust God through

(14:06):
the trials, we are shaped into the likeness of Christ.
Our faith matures, and our character is refined. The storms
we face are not meant to break us, but to
build us. The story of Mary and Joseph on their
journey to Bethlehem is a beautiful reminder that God's faithfulness
is unchanging, his love is unending, and his purpose for

(14:32):
our lives is unshakable. As we face the storms of life,
may we take hold of the assurance found in Philippians
Chapter one, verse six, knowing that God, who began a
good work in us, will be faithful to complete it.
May we embrace the challenges with faith, navigate them with

(14:54):
the support of the community, respond with prayer and praise,
and emerge renew and transformed, ready to walk the path
that God has sent before us. Thanks for listening to
today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham
from Dallas, Texas. Download thepray dot com app and make

(15:15):
prayer a priority in your life. If you enjoy this podcast,
share it with someone you love. By sharing this podcast,
you can make a difference in someone's life. And if
you want more resources on how to tap into God's
power for successful Christian living, be sure to visit Jagraham
dot org. God bless you.
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Jack Graham

Jack Graham

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