When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.

      -- Abraham Kuyper

I quit posting here awhile back because the function for adding videos and more would NOT work. I wonder if it is yet?

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A Dialogue between an Aunt and her Niece.

Aunt: Sandy

Niece: Chloe

What is your favorite color?

Umm . . . baby blue.

Why?

Cuz I think it’s pretty.

What do you love to eat?

Umm . . . chicken.

Why?

Because I think its good.

How?

Fried.

What year do you think Aunt Sandy was born?

1996

Why?

I don’t know . . . that just popped in my mind.

What is funny to you?

You. (Aunt Sandy)

Why?

Because I think your’e funny.

If someone gave you paint and paper, what would you do with it?

Draw pictures.

What is a movie you like? Umm . . . (forever and a day) . . . Cats & Dogs or Shark Tales or somethin’

What is your favorite outfit?

The one I wore the first day of school.

What does your mom like for breakfast?

Uhh . . .(no answer forever) . . .pancakes – I think she likes that but I don’t know but I think she does.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An artist.

Where do you want to live when you grow up?

Like? What state? Umm . . . (forever and a day)

Just name a state you might like to live when you grow up.

Indiana.

What do you do after school?

Eat my snack and then do my homework.

Do you like a bath or a shower more?

Shower.

Why?

It’s faster.

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And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.

For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.

Matthew 12:36-37

I am reading a chapter a day in the NT (started with Matthew 1) or whatever God leads as I go and the verses here spoke to me.

I am also finishing up books (two in the mornings after my Bible readings and one or two others in the afternoons) and here is something I gleaned so far today:)

"Anything and everything is possible with God if we approach Him with a broken spirit. We must humble ourselves, get rid of the debris in our lives, and keep leaning on Him instead of our own understanding. Your future and mine are determined by thos one thing: seeking after th Lord. The blessings we receive and then pass along to others all hang on this truth: He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). From: Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala

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Little excerpts of sorts taken from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible --- based on Matthew 6:24-34. Same as yesterday but kind of extended :)

Look upon the lilies, and learn to trust God for raiment. That is another part of our care, what we shall put on; for decency, to cover us; for defence, to keep us warm; yea, and, with many, for dignity and ornament, to make them look great and fine; and so much concerned are they for gaiety and variety in their clothing, that this care returns almost as often as that for their daily bread. Now to ease us of this care, let us consider the lilies of the field; not only look upon them (every eyes does that with pleasure), but consider them. Note, There is a great deal of good to be learned from what we see every day, if we would but consider it, Pro_6:6; Pro_24:32.

 Consider how free from care the lilies are: they toil not as men do, to earn clothing; as servants, to earn their liveries; neither do they spin, as women do, to make clothing. It does not follow that we must therefore neglect, or do carelessly, the proper business of this life; it is the praise of the virtuous woman, that she lays her hand to the spindle, makes fine linen and sells it, Pro_31:19, Pro_31:24. Idleness tempts God, instead of trusting him; but he that provides for inferior creatures, without their labour, will much more provide for us, by blessing our labour, which he has made our duty.

Consider how fair, how fine the lilies are; how they grow; what they grow from. The root of the lily or tulip, as other bulbous roots, is, in winter, lost and buried under ground, yet, when spring returns, it appears, and starts up in a little time; hence it is promised to God's Israel, that they should grow as the lily, Hos_14:5. Consider what they grow to. Out of that obscurity in a few weeks they come to be so very gay, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. The array of Solomon was very splendid and magnificent: he that had the peculiar treasure of kings and provinces, and studiously affected pomp and gallantry, doubtless had the richest clothing, and the best made up, that could be got; especially when he appeared in his glory on high days. And yet, let him dress himself as fine as he could, he comes far short of the beauty of the lilies, and a bed of tulips outshines him.

Let us, therefore, be ambitious of the wisdom of Solomon, in which he was outdone by none (wisdom to do our duty in our places), rather than the glory of Solomon, in which he was outdone by the lilies.

Knowledge and grace are the perfection of man, not beauty, much less fine clothes. Now God is here said thus to clothe the grass of the field. Note, All the excellences of the creature flow from God, the Fountain and spring of them. It was he that gave the horse his strength, and the lily its beauty; every creature is in itself, as well as to us, what he makes it to be.

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…disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of life, which are a bad sign that both the treasure and the heart are on the earth;

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Matthew 6:24-34, he writes the above words as sins against the Lord.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? Thoughts like those take up most of our days at times.

Some advice the same writer gives on the topic is:

·         take no thought about the things of this world ---this is said as:

·         our Comforter and

·         the Helper of our joy

and instructs us to “be not in care”.  The writer is referring to worldly cares and keeping the heart free from them.

He recorded these words on the subject:

But the thought here forbidden is, 1. A disquieting, tormenting thought, which hurries the mind hither and thither, and hangs it in suspense; which disturbs our joy in God, and is a damp upon our hope in him; which breaks the sleep, and hinders our enjoyment of ourselves, of our friends, and of what God has given us. 2. A distrustful, unbelieving thought.

Here is his remedy for such kind of thinking:

God has promised to provide for those that are his all things needful for life as well as godliness, the life that now is, food and a covering: not dainties, but necessaries. He never said, “They shall be feasted,” but, “Verily, they shall be fed.” Now an inordinate care for time to come, and fear of wanting those supplies, spring from a disbelief of these promises, and of the wisdom and goodness of Divine Providence; and that is the evil of it. As to present sustenance, we may and must use lawful means to get it, else we tempt God; we must be diligent in our callings, and prudent in proportioning our expenses to what we have, and we must pray for daily bread; and if all other means fail, we may and must ask relief of those that are able to give it.

Isn’t this POWERFUL?

How many times (swallow --- LAST night!) have I allowed thoughts like these to invade my peace? To literally steal my serenity? How many times has my joy been broken all because of worrisome thoughts?

It isn’t trusting God to worry. Ever.

Trusting God means NOT worrying. Why is that so hard for some of us (me) to get?

He SHALL supply.

He SHALL supply.

He SHALL supply!

Spiritual needs!

Mental needs!

Emotional needs!

Relationship needs!

Personal needs!

Material needs!

Each and every true need you and I have is under HIS authority.

So why in the world do we worry?

The world is why we worry. We allow our hearts to hear the world and not the WORD as a beloved friend told me yesterday.

I have been struggling with worry and with the way I handle stress lately. I have focused too much on depending on others instead of depending on God.

It isn’t possible for us to MAKE ourselves trust where we should. GOD supplies that trust because we just don’t have it on our own.

We fail, He flourishes. We fall, He flies. He wants us with Him no matter what the world flings our way.

Praying anyone happening to read this today has HIS blessed assurance in heart, mind, and spirit. I pray for peace in every place of your life.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen!

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Matthew 5

All of chapter 5 is amazing and imagining being one of those who heard it as they watched Jesus sharing it --- powerful. I am just focusing on verse three this rainy morning.

Financial downfalls, the loss of homes, jobs and having material need all the way around can cause us to feel poor. We can start seeing ourselves as poverty stricken “less thans” those suffering less lack around us.

The truth is . . . “poor” is a condition of the heart.

Yes, we can still be considered being at poverty levels if what is coming in doesn’t cover what is going out and there are zillions of other reasons for creating that label. Still . . . the Bible shows us a way to be rich in spirit at all times and in all circumstances.

There is great strength in trusting God with whatever He allows with joy and gratitude.

Personally, I struggle. I detest the struggle because I desperately want to FEEL this way all the time. Ever trusting in the faithfulness of a God Who cares. THE one and only God… THE Jehovah, Jirah … mighty Provider.

There are days (like yesterday) when I emotionally collapse under the weight of the world. It is when I start comparing myself and my situation or when I try to take things into my own hands. I much prefer the days when I not only FEEL HIS HOPE… but I know it is there. Contrary to the days when I go on faith that HIS HOPE is still strong and enduring. . . I love the days when I know it within my heart.

Writings like the one below, poured out by Scripture… help me.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Vs. 3

Today, Lord:

·         Allow me a gracious disposition of soul where I am emptying ME to be filled by YOU.

·         Be with me so if You order me to be poor that I can be content with that.

·         Carry me onward so I can accommodate myself to poverty while it last. . . either always or sometimes.

·         Direct me to be easy in it instead of fighting so hard against it.

·         Guide me to patiently bear the inconveniences of it and to be thankful for what we have and make the best of whatever that is.

The poor in spirit are happy, Mat_5:3. There is a poor-spiritedness that is so far from making men blessed that it is a sin and a snare - cowardice and base fear, and a willing subjection to the lusts of men. But this poverty of spirit is a gracious disposition of soul, by which we are emptied of self, in order to our being filled with Jesus Christ.

To be poor in spirit is, 1. To be contentedly poor, willing to be emptied of worldly wealth, if God orders that to be our lot; to bring our mind to our condition, when it is a low condition. Many are poor in the world, but high in spirit, poor and proud, murmuring and complaining, and blaming their lot, but we must accommodate ourselves to our poverty, must know how to be abased, Phi_4:12.

Acknowledging the wisdom of God in appointing us to poverty, we must be easy in it, patiently bear the inconveniences of it, be thankful for what we have, and make the best of that which is.

It is to sit loose to all worldly wealth, and not set our hearts upon it, but cheerfully to bear losses and disappointments which may befall us in the most prosperous state. It is not, in pride or pretence, to make ourselves poor, by throwing away what God has given us, especially as those in the church of Rome, who vow poverty, and yet engross the wealth of the nations; but if we be rich in the world we must be poor in spirit, that is, we must condescend to the poor and sympathize with them, as being touched with the feeling of their infirmities; we must expect and prepare for poverty; must not inordinately fear or shun it, but must bid it welcome, especially when it comes upon us for keeping a good conscience, Heb_10:34.

Job was poor in spirit, when he blessed God in taking away, as well as giving.

2. It is to be humble and lowly in our own eyes. To be poor in spirit, is to think meanly of ourselves, of what we are, and have, and do; the poor are often taken in the Old Testament for the humble and self-denying, as opposed to those that are at ease, and the proud; it is to be as little children in our opinion of ourselves, weak, foolish, and insignificant, Mat_18:4; Mat_19:14.

It is to acknowledge that God is great, and we are mean; that he is holy and we are sinful; that he is all and we are nothing, less than nothing, worse than nothing; and to humble ourselves before him, and under his mighty hand.

3. It is to come off from all confidence in our own righteousness and strength, that we may depend only upon the merit of Christ for our justification, and the spirit and grace of Christ for our sanctification. That broken and contrite spirit with which the publican cried for mercy to a poor sinner, is that poverty of spirit. We must call ourselves poor, because always in want of God's grace, always begging at God's door, always hanging on in his house.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

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Matthew 4

     Jesus is tempted by the devil on the mountain.

     He overcomes the temptations without succumbing to them and set an example (as did His every footstep) for us to follow.

     Read on for Matthew Henry’s Commentary and you will find a great deal of practical help for us today.

[When Christ was baptized, he did not go to Jerusalem, there to publish the glories that had been put upon him, but retired into a wilderness. After communion with God, it is good to be private awhile, lest we lose what we have received, in the crowd and hurry of worldly business. Christ withdrew into the wilderness,

1. To gain advantage to himself. Retirement gives an opportunity for meditation an communion with God; even they who are called to the most active life must yet have their contemplative hours, and must first find time to be alone with God. Those are not fit to speak of the things of God in public to others, who have not first conversed with those things in secret by themselves.

When he began to be hungry, and that in a wilderness, where there was nothing to be had, then the Devil assaulted him. Note, Want and poverty are a great temptation to discontent and unbelief, and the use of unlawful means for our relief, under pretence that necessity has no law; and it is excused with this that hunger will break through stone walls, which yet is no excuse, for the law of God ought to be stronger to us than stone walls. Agur prays against poverty, not because it is an affliction and reproach, but because it is a temptation; lest I be poor, and steal. Those therefore who are reduced to straits, have need to double their guard; it is better to starve to death, than live and thrive by

Outward afflictions, wants and burdens, are the great arguments Satan uses to make the people of God question their sonship; as if afflictions could not consist with, when really they proceed fRom. God's fatherly love. They know how to answer this temptation, who can say with holy Job, Though he slay me, though he starve me, yet I will trust in him, and love him as a Friend, even when he seems to come forth against me as an Enemy. 3. The Devil aims to shake our faith in the word of God, and bring us to question the truth of that. Thus he began with our first parents; Yea, has God said so and so? Surely he has not. So here, Has God said that thou art his beloved Son? Surely he did not say so; or if he did it is not true. We then give place to the Devil, when we question the truth of any word that God has spoken; for his business, as the father of lies, is to oppose the true sayings of God. 4. The Devil carries on his designs very much by possessing people with hard thoughts of God, as if he were unkind, or unfaithful, and had forsaken or forgotten those who had ventured their all with him.

. The Devil is for nothing that is humbling, but ever thing that is assuming; and gains his point, if he can but bring men off from their dependence upon God, and possess them with an opinion of their self-sufficiency.

Note, As in our great abundance we must not think to live without God, so in our greatest straits we must learn to live upon God; and when the fig-tree does not blossom, and the field yields no meat, when all ordinary means of succour and support are cut off, yet then we must rejoice in the Lord; then we must not think to command what we will, though contrary to his command, but must humbly pray for what he thinks fit to give us, and be thankful for the bread of our allowance, though it be a short allowance. Let us learn of Christ here to be at God's finding, rather than at our own; and not to take any irregular courses for our supply, when our wants are ever so pressing (Psa_37:3). Jehovah-jireh; some way or other the Lord will provide. It is better to live poorly upon the fruits of God's goodness, than live plentifully upon the products of our own sin.]

5 Ways to Live Upon God

1.  Quiet time. It is imperative for you and I to set apart from the demands of the day and have time with our Lord. This can be in prayer, reading the Bible and sitting silently to listen for His voice.  

2.  Be alert and cling to Jesus even more when in times of great need. The  lack can become a stronghold and/or a temptation to sin. Pray away poverty! It might be where we are now or come at some point but we can pray for God to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. Philippians 4:19

3.  Let nothing shake your knowledge of God’s faithfulness. No matter how things appear or feel. . . know He is good and our best is always, always His goal.

4.  Depend on the Lord. We cannot succeed without Him and have no power away from Him.

5.  Live upon God. When the money does not come, when the bills cannot be paid, when the pantry isn’t filled, and when all hope of help seems gone. Live upon God.  As the commentary shares: Some way or other . . . the Lord will provide.

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to e content win whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

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Mat 3:1  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Mat 3:2  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mat 3:3  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Mat 3:4  And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Mat 3:5  Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Mat 3:6  And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

My present Bible reading plan is reading the New Testament again and whatever else God guides while I’m there. I have read a lot of the OT in the past year or so and there is just so much to glean from the Word of God all the way around!

Anyway, today’s reading was Matthew 3 and I drank every letter in… smiles.

I loved what Matthew Henry shares in his commentary on these verses:

John Baptist's business was to call men to repent of their sins; Metanoeite - Bethink yourselves;

“Admit a second thought, to correct the errors of the first - an afterthought. Consider your ways, change your minds; you have thought amiss; think again, and think aright.”

Note, True penitents have other thoughts of God and Christ, and sin and holiness, and this world and the other, than they have had, and stand otherwise affected toward them. The change of the mind produces a change of the way. Those who are truly sorry for what they have done amiss, will be careful to do so no more.

This repentance is a necessary duty, in obedience to the command of God (Act_17:30); and a necessary preparative and qualification for the comforts of the gospel of Christ. If the heart of man had continued upright and unstained, divine consolations might have been received without this painful operation preceding; but, being sinful, it must be first pained before it can be laid at ease, must labour before it can be at rest. The sore must be searched, or it cannot be cured. I wound and I heal.

Note, They who truly desire the sincere milk of the word, it if be not brought to them, will seek out for it: and they who would learn the doctrine of repentance must go out from the hurry of this world, and be still.

…End of Matthew Henry Commentary notes.

I think on what I’ve read this morning and I imagine our Lord saying:

“Be still.

“Know that I am God.

“Be still.

“Listen for My voice.

“Be still and ponder your life… look at the way you live.

“Consider your ways. Are they My ways?

“Think of your thoughts. Are they My thoughts?

“Change is needed. Do you see it?

“If you see it… you can change it.

“Fit your life, fit  your world… into My life, into My world.

“Cry for what is not right and allow yourself to sorry for your sin.

“You’ll be much more watchful to keep from them again.

“Search My Word and stop long enough to seek Me.”

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Mat 2:9  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Mat 2:10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

My notes in purple:

     I have been praying for a lot of people lately.

Praying for many things and with a focus on finding God’s guidance.

     Most of us just want to know we are on the path Christ beckons us on and not traveling down our own.

     We want to be near Him and not far from Him because He is sure and strong while we are confused, tested and weak.

     My reading this morning really spoke to me and I wanted to share it.

     Dear heart reading: GOD will guide you! Do not give up! Do not lose heart!

He is your help.

     We must move on. No matter what it looks like around us. . . He will come through in showing us the way to go.

     See how they found out Christ by the same star that they had seen in their own country, Mat_2:9, Mat_2:10.

     Observe, 1. How graciously God directed them. By the first appearance of the star they were given to understand where they might enquire for this King, and then it disappeared, and they were left to take the usual methods for such an enquiry.

     Note, Extraordinary helps are not to be expected where ordinary means are to be had.

     Well, they had traced the matter as far as they could; they were upon their journey to Bethlehem, but that is a populous town, where shall they find him when they come thither? Here they were at a loss, at their wit's end, but not at their faith's end; they believed that God, who had brought them thither by his word, would not leave them there; nor did he; for, behold, the star which they saw in the east went before them.

     Note, If we go on as far as we can in the way of duty, God will direct and enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot do; Up, and be doing, and the Lord will be with thee. Vigilantibus, non dormientibus, succurit lex - The law affords its aid, not to the idle, but to the active.

     The star had left them a great while, yet now returns. They who follow God in the dark shall find that light is sown, is reserved, for them.

     Israel was led by a pillar of fire to the promised land, the wise men by a star to the promised Seed, who is himself the bright and morning Star, Rev_22:16.

     God would rather create a new thing than leave those at a loss who diligently and faithfully sought him. This star was the token of God's presence with them; for he is light, and goes before his people as their Guide.

     Note, If we by faith eye God in all our ways, we may see ourselves under his conduct; he guides with his eye (Psa_32:8), and said to them, This is the way, walk in it: and there is a day-star that arises in the hearts of those that enquire after Christ, 2Pe_1:19.

     2. Observe how joyfully they followed God's direction (Mat_2:10).

     Matthew Henry Commentary

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Matthew 1

 ¹ This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah  the son of David, the son of Abraham:

    ² Abraham was the father of Isaac,
       Isaac the father of Jacob,
       Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

    ³ Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
       Perez the father of Hezron,
       Hezron the father of Ram,

    ⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab,
       Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
       Nahshon the father of Salmon,

    ⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
       Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
       Obed the father of Jesse,

    ⁶ and Jesse the father of King David.
       David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,

    ⁷ Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
       Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
       Abijah the father of Asa,

    ⁸ Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
       Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
       Jehoram the father of Uzziah,

    ⁹ Uzziah the father of Jotham,
       Jotham the father of Ahaz,
       Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

    ¹⁰ Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
       Manasseh the father of Amon,
       Amon the father of Josiah,

    ¹¹ and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

    ¹² After the exile to Babylon:
       Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
       Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

    ¹³ Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
       Abiud the father of Eliakim,
       Eliakim the father of Azor,

    ¹⁴ Azor the father of Zadok,
       Zadok the father of Akim,
       Akim the father of Eliud,

    ¹⁵ Eliud the father of Eleazar,
       Eleazar the father of Matthan,
       Matthan the father of Jacob,

    ¹⁶ and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

    ¹⁷ Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

 

{ In calling Christ the son of David, and the son of Abraham, he shows that God is faithful to his promise, and will make good every word that he has spoken; and this. 1. Though the performance be long deferred. When God promised Abraham a son, who should be the great blessing of the world, perhaps he expected it should be his immediate son; but it proved to be one at the distance of forty-two generations, and about 2000 years: so long before can God foretel what shall be done, and so long after, sometimes, does God fulfil what has been promised. Note, Delays of promised mercies, though they exercise our patience, do not weaken God's promise. 2. Though it begin to be despaired of. This son of David, and son of Abraham, who was to be the glory of his Father's house, was born when the seed of Abraham was a despised people, recently become tributary to the Roman yoke, and when the house of David was buried in obscurity; for Christ was to be a root out of a dry ground. Note, God's time for the performance of his promises is when it labours under the greatest improbabilities.} From: Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Whole Bible

 

   ¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

    ²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, :because he will save his people from their sins."

    ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

    ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

 

{It is better to take time to consider before than to find time to repent after.

 

Note, It becomes us, in many cases, to be gentle towards those that come under suspicion of having offended, to hope the best concerning them, and make the best of that which at first appears bad, in hopes that it may prove better.

 

The words of the wise are heard in quiet. Christ himself shall not strive nor cry. Christian love and Christian prudence will hide a multitude of sins, and great ones, as far as may be done without having fellowship with them.

 

Joseph is here directed to proceed in his intended marriage. The angel calls him, Joseph, thou son of David; he puts him in mind of his relation to David, that he might be prepared to receive this surprising intelligence of his relation to the Messiah, who, every one knew, was to be a descendant from David. Sometimes, when great honours devolve upon those who have small estates, they care not for accepting them, but are willing to drop them; it was therefore requisite to put this poor carpenter in mind of his high birth: “Value thyself. Joseph, thou art that son of David through whom the line of the Messiah is to be drawn.” We may thus say to every true believer, “Fear not, thou son of Abraham, thou child of God; forget not the dignity of thy birth, thy new birth.”} Commentary from Matthew Henry

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