And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Gen 50:19-20
Joseph was a man who could have allowed his life to be poisoned with unforgiveness, bitterness, and unbelief. His life had been rocked by the betrayal by his own brothers who sold him into slavery; wrongly accused by a wicked woman and was thrown into prison; and forgotten by one whom he had helped. Joseph could have easily shaken his fist at God for allowing him to experience such “unfair” pain, but instead he chose to believe. He could have easily resented those who treated him unjustly seeking vengeance, but he chose to forgive. Joseph could have lived his life wallowing in the mire of self-pity and misery, but he chose to rejoice. He could have chosen to look for the negative, but he chose to look to God. Joseph never allowed the pain of the moment to cloud his view of eternity. His eyes and faith were steadfastly set on the God of creation and redemption. Joseph simply surrendered himself to the providential plans of the Sovereign Lord and rested in His unending mercy. Because of Joseph’s steadfast surrender God placed him in position to be a great blessing to others and he in return lavished in God’s blessing. Truly he could say, “What others meant for evil, God meant it for good.”
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
And They Laughed
Matthew 9:24 he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him.
How many times have we, like those called in to mourn over Jairus’ daughter, laughed at Jesus? Sarah laughed also at the news from the LORD that she would give birth in her old age. We may not be overt in our laughter and our laughter may not be with intent to scorn as the mourners, but yet we laugh within our hearts even as Sarah. This laughter reveals unbelief and a resistance to the things our Lord is desiring to do for us and through us. If we laugh, let us laugh “with” Jesus in joy and amazement instead of “at” Jesus in disbelief and scorn.
How many times have we, like those called in to mourn over Jairus’ daughter, laughed at Jesus? Sarah laughed also at the news from the LORD that she would give birth in her old age. We may not be overt in our laughter and our laughter may not be with intent to scorn as the mourners, but yet we laugh within our hearts even as Sarah. This laughter reveals unbelief and a resistance to the things our Lord is desiring to do for us and through us. If we laugh, let us laugh “with” Jesus in joy and amazement instead of “at” Jesus in disbelief and scorn.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Vow of the Heart
Jacob’s Vow 01/12/2009
Gen 28:20-22 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you."
Jacob had an experience with God through a dream which prompted him to make a vow unto the Lord. The question which must be asked is “What is the motive of the vow?” Was this a statement of true commitment to God or was it a conditional bargain driven by selfishness? Obviously, the language leaves room for interpretation as commentators debate the true intent of this vow. This leads to another thought. Language within itself can always leave room for uncertainty. Words that are written or spoken with the clearest of communication can never prove true motive. Was it not our Lord who said, “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me,…” Isa 29:13. Therefore, any vow or statement must be proven by the actions that follow. Proceeding the vow, Jacob was a man who lived up to his name as a supplanter/deceiver to acquire the desires of his heart. At the very time of the vow he was on the run escaping his brother’s vengeance for stealing his blessing. Jacob was the same man after the vow, a man always scheming to get an edge rather than placing dependence upon the God of his vow. It was not until he was on the run again that he wrestled with God and cried out in desperation that his motives appear pure. Only then did he receive a new name, Israel. No longer was he bargaining with God but instead, grabbing hold and not letting go. This is a vow of the heart. This is a vow which our Lord smiles upon.
Gen 28:20-22 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you."
Jacob had an experience with God through a dream which prompted him to make a vow unto the Lord. The question which must be asked is “What is the motive of the vow?” Was this a statement of true commitment to God or was it a conditional bargain driven by selfishness? Obviously, the language leaves room for interpretation as commentators debate the true intent of this vow. This leads to another thought. Language within itself can always leave room for uncertainty. Words that are written or spoken with the clearest of communication can never prove true motive. Was it not our Lord who said, “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me,…” Isa 29:13. Therefore, any vow or statement must be proven by the actions that follow. Proceeding the vow, Jacob was a man who lived up to his name as a supplanter/deceiver to acquire the desires of his heart. At the very time of the vow he was on the run escaping his brother’s vengeance for stealing his blessing. Jacob was the same man after the vow, a man always scheming to get an edge rather than placing dependence upon the God of his vow. It was not until he was on the run again that he wrestled with God and cried out in desperation that his motives appear pure. Only then did he receive a new name, Israel. No longer was he bargaining with God but instead, grabbing hold and not letting go. This is a vow of the heart. This is a vow which our Lord smiles upon.
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