Quit Griping!
Today’s Passages – Exodus 13 – 15
(Second Milers also read – Luke 2 – 3; Proverbs 24; Psalms 116 – 118)
Scripture Memory for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4
Watch “Growth Points 006″ Religion, Grace, and the Local Church” by Paul Chappell
“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” – (Exodus 15:1)
“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” – (Exodus 15:24)
Exodus 15 is an amazing chapter of Scripture, which demonstrates the fickle nature of God’s children. The first 21 verses, which comprises more that three-fourths of the chapter is the record of God’s people singing, dancing, and praising Him for the great miracle that He had done in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. Specifically, they are praising God and thanking Him for parting the Red Sea so that they could pass through on dry ground. You will remember, the Egyptians tried to follow them and that same sea closed up upon them and drowned them. The people of God were thrilled that God took away the water so that they could travel to other side. Now, at the end of the chapter, they are complaining that there is no water. First they want the water to go away, and then they want it back again. You just can’t make these Israelites happy, can you? I am kidding, of course; but I do want to point out the tendency that Israel had (and we have today) to forget about all of God’s past blessings by griping about some apparent injustice that seemed to be taking place in the present. Here, they begin to think that God delivered them from Egypt only to kill them with dehydration in the wilderness. Obsurd! That big God that they were worshipping in the beginning of the chapter all of sudden got smaller when the people got a little thirsty.
I find that we are no different today. We sometimes see God do wonderful things in our lives, and from that mountaintop we offer up to Him praise and worship. But then when God allows a little testing to come our way, our attitude changes completely. Our view of God seems to be based solely upon what He does for us. When we are getting popcorn, bubble gum, and ice cream, God is good; but when God says that we should eat a little brocholi because it’s what we need at the time, God becomes some mean ogre. We act like little children in the nursery, don’t we? Let’s grow up! Let’s mature in our faith to the point where we trust God completely. God is good when the circumstances in life are great; but God is also good when things are not going as we would like them to. God is always good. He loves us. He says He will never leave us; never forsake us. He has our very best interests at heart. Trust Him even when you don’t understand; and whatever you do, don’t gripe. Griping is perhaps the most predominant cause of death in the Old Testament. I am not saying that you should not bring your concerns and burdens to Him. There is a big difference between a prayer request and a complaint. Let’s get to the point in our Christian walk where we can praise Him even in the dark days. Remember, there are others out there that have it worse than you. God is not just good, He is awesome. Learn to wait on Him. He will deliver you if you will simply trust Him, obey, and be patient.
Look, we are all really good at spotting problems, but instead of murmering, why don’t we try becoming part of a solution. We can pray, and we can work to make the situation better. Anybody can complain, and they often do; but it takes a person of true character to actually make a difference.
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” – (Philippians 2:14)
Posted in Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
What Will God Have To Do To Get Your Attention?
Today’s Passage – Exodus 10 – 12
(Second Milers also read – Luke 1; Proverbs 23; Psalms 111 – 115)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Read – “I Don’t Wanna” by Melissa Dilley
Read last year’s post from this passage – “What Can Wash Away My Sin?”
“And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.” – (Exodus 12:30-33)
Flies, frogs, locusts, darkness, hail. All of these and more sent by the hand of God in order that the Egyptians, as well as the Israelites, would know that there is an awesome and powerful God in Heaven. God’s command to the king of Egypt was simple: “let my people go”. However, Pharaoh was not too willing to heed the request of God. He seemed to be more willing to endure all of the plagues that God was sending his way. That is, all until his first born son was taken from him at the hand of God. God finally got his attention. He was finally ready to yield his stubborn will to the will of God.
There was a lot to think about in the passages of Scripture that we read this morning and I understand that there are deeper theological truths behind the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, but I couldn’t get past the thought that sometimes God has to allow some especially painful things in our lives in order to get our attention. We are sometimes like that hard clay that the potter must soften before he can use it. I’m just wondering this morning, is there something that the Lord has been trying to do in your life that you have been resisting. Have you hardened yourself to the point where, in order for God to accomplish His will, He will have to break you. What will God have to do to get your attention? I suppose this thought applies just as much to the Christian that is fighting against God’s perfect will as it does to the lost person that is resisting salvation. Whichever your case is, the remedy is the same. Soften your heart, and yield to God’s will. Is there some sin that you are holding on to? God will do what He has to do in order to get you to repent of it and forsake it. Whatever it takes, God will accomplish His will for your life. You cannot win in a battle with God.
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I Don’t Wanna by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Exodus 7 – 9
(Second Milers also read – Mark 15 – 16; Proverbs 22; Psalms 106 – 110)
Scripture memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter” by Monica McCoyMark 15 – 16
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – (Matthew 26:39)
My name is Melissa Dilley and I am 36 years old. I am laying in a hospital bed in my parents’ living room and I will never get out of it. I have rheumatoid arthritis and cervical cancer. I am going to die. Soon.
His name is Jesus and He was 33 years old. He was on His knees in a garden and the soldiers were coming to arrest Him. He had never done anything wrong but His people hated Him. He was going to die. Soon.
Jesus is the Son of God. He spent His entire life helping and loving people; teaching them how to live more abundantly, and how to know they will get to Heaven after life was over. But He was about to face a bad situation. He was going to die. He was a “good man”. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t fair. “Let this cup pass. [I DON’T WANNA].”
As humans we experience this emotion. God knows this. He knows everything that’s in our hearts. If Jesus could feel this way, why can’t we? The responsibility we have that comes with this emotion is to remember – “not as I will, but as THOU wilt” (emphasis mine). We can take a few moments to feel sorry for ourselves, but then proceed in doing what it is that God wants us to do.
In Matthew 21:28 – 31, Jesus tells a story about a man who had two sons he asked to work fo him. The one son said he didn’t wanna, but then did. The second said he would work, but then didn’t. Then Jesus asked which son did the father’s will. Even the Pharisees knew it was the first son.
So the next time something bad comes your way, get in your prayer closet and cry for a while. Tell God: “I don’t understand, I don’t like it, I don’t wanna, but I will”.
Posted in Devotions, Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
A Dry Thirsty Land – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Exodus 4 – 6
(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1
Read “How To Prepare For Revival” by Pastor Paul Chappell
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” (Exodus 4:9).
Good morning. I saw something disturbing on the news yesterday. In Philadelphia – the city of brotherly love – there have been 20 killings since January first. When I watched the news at 10:00 pm, that number had jumped to 25. And there was still two hours to go. A Vietnam War veteran had his jaw broken and his skull fractured by a youth gang. What happened? America has gone dry: it’s a dry land. And it’s because people’s hearts have gotten harder.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2Timothy 3:1-7)
Many of us are to blame. We are afraid to stand on what the Word of God says. We are afraid to speak out and say that any Jew, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Atheist, Agnostic, Unbeliever, Charismatic, Evolutionist, Secular Humanist, self-proclaimed Christian, or anybody else not mentioned in these groups are going to Hell if they have not received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This is not being hateful to any group. This is not a hate crime. This is what God’s Word says in 1John chapter 5:11-12:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Do you know what a real hate crime is? Allowing souls to slip into hell without giving them the Gospel: telling them about Jesus. Even if you are shy, you can still leave a Gospel tract. Leave one with a tip when you dine out. Give one to the gas station attendant when you get gas in your car or truck. You could even mail some out to addresses in the phone book. Can you afford 45 cents a week? That’s 52 people you could reach with God’s plan for salvation in one year.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission [of sins]. We need to pour out the water of God’s Word on this dry land, and let the people know that the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sin.
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” (Exodus 4:9).
Peace. (Colossians 1:19-20).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Growing Through Affliction
Today’s Passage – Exodus 1 – 3
(Second Milers also read – Mark 11 – 12; Proverbs 20; Psalms 96 – 100)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Read last year’s post from this passage – “The Call of God”
“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” – (Exodus 1:12)
In our passage of Scripture this morning we read about the nation of Israel after they had been in Egypt for 400 years. When we last left the family of Jacob at the close of the Book of Genesis, the people of God were prospering, but after many generations have passed in this foreign land, they are now being persecuted. It seems that the Egyptians had recognized the hand and blessing of God upon His people, and became afraid that the Hebrews would take them over. So, they enslaved them, and made their lives bitter. However, the more the people of God were persecuted, the more they were grew. On a natural level, this doesn’t make any sense, but then again, the principles of God often go against human reasoning. These Egyptians simply couldn’t keep God’s people down, no matter how hard they tried.
There are two observations that I would like to make from this passage:
1 Throughout the history of the Christian churches, there have been periods of intense persecution. Persecution is a tool of the devil to defeat the people of God. However, again we have observed through history that some of the greatest times of growth in Christian history have come about as a result of persecution. Notice what happened to the church at Jerusalem after the death of Stephen:
“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. … Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” – (Acts 8:1, 4)
The devil attacked the church at Jerusalem, and it resulted in the spreading of the gospel throughout the rest of the world. Persecution actually caused the church to grow. In America today, we are experiencing the greatest prosperity and freedom that we have possibly ever had in Christian history. However, are the churches growing? Are we seeing more people converted to Christ? Most Christians today are not even aware of what our true mission is in this life. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not asking for persecution, and I certainly don’t look forward to it, but I am convinced that a revival of true church growth will only take place if God allows things to heat up a bit.
2 The second observation that I would like to make has to do with the personal walk of the individual believer. We also tend to grow more during times of trial and testing than we do during those mountaintop times. Consider these passages:
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” – (1 Peter 1:6-7)
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – (1 Peter 4:12-13)
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” – (James 1:2-4)
I know that when I look back in my own life I can clearly see that more growth came during those difficult days rather than the days that I was “at ease in Zion”. Again, I do not enjoy the hard times, but I have learned to embrace them, and also embrace the God who loves me enough to mature me and, with the trials he brings me through, conform me into the very image of Christ.
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Judgment Day
Today’s Passage – Genesis 48 – 50
(Second Milers also read – Mark 9 – 10; Proverbs 19; Psalms 91 – 95
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89:1
Read “Voluntary Pain” by Pastor Paul Chappell
“And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” (Genesis 49:1)
I remember when I was a young person attending school. At the end of every school year there was an awards ceremony and they would give out various awards for attendance, academics, athletics, and even some for attitude. I didn’t receive many awards as a child, I was what you might call “exceedingly average” in just about every area. Looking back on my school days, I can only recall receiving three awards: two in intermediate school, and one in college (the first time I went to college – not Bible school). However, I remember that every time I attended one of those awards ceremonies, or a commencement exercise, I would always feel two things. First, I would feel regret for not having applied myself more that year. I would realize that I could and should have done more; I should have worked harder; I shouldn’t have goofed off so much, wasting valuable time. The second thing that I would feel is motivated. I would determine that next year was going to be different for me; next year I was going to do better; next year I would be up there on the stage getting some kind of award. The only problem was that my weaknesses in character always outlasted my bursts of motivation.
You may be wondering what all of this has to do with the passage that we read in Genesis this morning. Well, here is the connection. Every time I read chapter 49 in Genesis, I am reminded of these award ceremonies. Except, here it is the one who is graduating to Heaven that is handing out the awards. Jacob is about to die, and he calls all of his children together to pronounce a blessing upon some. Unfortunately, he also will be pronouncing a curse upon others. Can you imagine the last words that you hear out of your father’s mouth before he dies being words of regret, rather than words of praise. I know well what it feels like trying to live a life that is pleasing to a father. I spent a good deal of my young adulthood trying to receive “attaboys” from my dad by achieving sales and success in the business world, which was his life. I think every child desires to please their father; at least most do. I cannot imagine the hurt I would feel if my father were to offer words of regret about my life at his passing. These sons of Jacob had all ran out of time. The time to live a life that would be worthy of being blessed by their father had passed.
You know what’s worse, however, than not receiving words of blessing and praise from your earthly father? Not receiving them from your Heavenly Father. Someday all who are His children will stand before Him and give account for their lives. Some will hear words of praise and will receive rewards; others will not. I want to please my Heavenly Father in my life today so that He will someday say to me, “Well done”. I guess I never got past that desire to hear “attaboy”; only now it is my Heavenly Father that I want to live for. Don’t misunderstand, I love my dad dearly, and I want my life to be a source of blessing to him as well, but my passion in life today is to live for God. I want the same thing for my children. Yes I want to be pleased with them, but ultimately the only thing that matters is if God is pleased with them.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4)
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” – (Hebrews 9:27)
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” – (Romans 14:10)
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The Big Picture
Today’s Passage – Genesis 45 – 47
(Second Milers also read – Mark 7 – 8; Proverbs 18; Psalms 86 – 90)
“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:5)
“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.” (Genesis 20)
Joseph was truly a man of great spirituality. As I was reading through these chapters of Genesis, there was something that stood out: Joseph forgave his brothers. The fascinating thing about Joseph’s forgiveness, however, is that it was not requested by the brothers. The brothers do not actually ask for Joseph’s forgiveness until after the death of Jacob in chapter 50. I am not so sure that their motivation was exactly pure, either. They were probably just trying to make sure that Joseph would not finally get even now that Dad was gone. However, Joseph then will just reiterate the forgiveness he already gave them in chapter 45.
There is one more thing that I would like to point out regarding Joseph’s perspective on what hs brothers had done to him. He says in chapter 50 that, though the brothers fully intended to do Joseph harm, God allowed (“meant”) it for good. For whose good you might ask? Well think about it. If Joseph’s brothers had not sold him into slavery, Joseph would not have been strategically positioned to ultimately become the prime minister of Egypt. From his position there he was able to feed the people of Egypt and the rest of the surrounding areas; including his family back in Canaan. The “bad” thing that his brothers did was made “good” by God. In fact we can see through hindsight that God’s sovereign hand was in the whole thing; not that God caused Joseph’s brothers to sin against him, but that God could take their willful crime against him, and through his foreknowledge, use it for good and His glory. Joseph had the right perspective. He could see the “Big Picture”.
How do we look at the “bad” events of our lives. You’ve noticed I’m sure that life is full of “bad” things: bad people; bad accidents; bad health; you get the idea. The key to true spirituality is how you choose to look at these events that God has allowed to enter into your life. Maybe He’s trying to get your attention. Maybe He’s trying to teach you something. Maybe He is using you to glorify Himself in the eyes of somebody else. You may not understand completely all the “good” that God is doing through the “bad” things that are happening; but know this: God is doing something, and everything God does is good. And also know this: the tunnel you may be going through today may be very dark, but if you stick with God, you will eventually get to the light at the end of it. It’s easy to see the light when you get out of the tunnel; but the truly spiritual person will see the light through the eyes of faith when he is in the darkest recesses of the problem that has come his way. You will get out of the valley and back on top of the mountain; but you have to trust God. Remember, He loves you more than you love yourself.
Let me challenge you. If you are going through a trial in your life today, try to look beyond the immediate problem, and see the big picture. God is in control. He knows what He is doing, and He will make something wonderful come out of it. Contrary to the way many of us thing, the universe does not revolve around us; it revolves around Christ. His sovereign plan is the big picture.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Posted in Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
A Changed Man
Today’s Passage – Genesis 43 – 44
(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Proverbs 17; Psalms 81 – 85)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Growth Points 005 by Paul Chappell – Thoughts on Separation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17
“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.” (Genesis 37:26 & 27)
“Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad benot with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.” (Genesis 44:33 & 34)
There is quite a contrast between the events that take place in chapter 37 and chapter 44 of the Book of Genesis. In chapter 37 the brothers of Joseph want to put Joseph to death (all except Reuben). Judah, who is the fourth oldest son comes up with idea of selling his brother into slavery. His idea does save Joseph’s life, but consider with me what this heinous act did to Joseph’s father, Jacob. We are all familiar with the events that transpired in the life of Joseph; they are recorded in these chapters 37 through 44. God had his hand on Joseph, and although he certainly suffered, God raised him up to a position of great influence and authority. But what about Jacob? For years Jacob thought his favorite son, Joseph, was dead. Joseph’s brothers seemed to have no problem going home and telling their father that their brother was killed by some wild beast. How could their level of compassion and care for their father be so low that they would be willing to put him through the tragic loss of Joseph.
There is quite a change, however, in chapter 44. Joseph puts his brothers through a series of tests. (You will have to read the story for yourself in order to fully grasp the thought I am trying to convey here.) The final test is when Joseph arranges to “set up” Benjamin his youngest brother. I think Joseph was really trying to keep Benjamin safe with him, away from his other brothers. He tells the brothers that Benjamin is going to have to be kept as a bondman in Egypt. But notice how Judah intercedes this time for his brother. He remembers what the loss of Joseph did to the father, Jacob; and now he is doing everything in his power to keep the same thing from happening to Benjamin. He knows that the loss of Benjamin will completely destroy his father. He even goes as far as to offer to take the place of Benjamin. This is certainly quite a change from his earlier days.
Judah changed. God changed him. God can change you and I too. People can change. I believe the best way to bring about the needed changes in your life is for you to get as close to God as you can. I am convinced that as we draw nigh to God, He will purge the dross from our lives, and conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus. Do you desire to remain the same; or do you desire to be more like Jesus in your life? Judah certainly bore a resemblance to the Lord Jesus here in chapter 44 in the way that he interceded for his brother, and by the way he was willing to be a substitute. God can do the same for you and me as we yield our lives and our will to Him.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – (Romans 12:2)
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In His Time
Today’s Passages – Genesis 41 – 42
(Second Milers also read – Mark 3 – 4 ; Proverbs 16; Psalms 76 – 80)
Second Mile Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51
“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.” – (Genesis 41:38-41)
There are two questions that I would like to consider this morning:
1 Would you be willing to wait all of the years that Joseph waited if you new there was a marvelous and exciting plan for your life in the distant future?
2 Would you be willing to endure all of the hardship that Joseph endured and remain faithful to the Lord if you knew that those trials were necessary to advance the plans and purposes of God?
The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37. In these chapters we discover that Joseph goes from being a favored son of Jacob to a slave in the house of Potipher, and then to a prisoner in Pharaoh’s kingdom. Joseph’s downward slide began with a dream that he had which revealed to him that God was going to elevate him above his brothers, and even above his father. His brothers would have none of Joseph’s dreams and sought to be rid of him, and for a long time they were. However, many years after they sold their brother into bondage, the sons of Jacob went down into Egypt at the request of their father to purchase food, and who do you think was the guy in charge of the food? You guessed it: Joseph. Egypt was the only place that had food in this time of famine, and the only reason they were prepared was because Joseph had revealed to Pharaoh that he should store up food in the days of plenty, so that Egypt would have enough when times got hard. By the way, that’s not a bad idea for us, either.
At any rate, when the brothers finally come to Egypt, their little brother is no longer a slave; he is the prime minister of all of Egypt. However, it took a long times and a lot of hardship before Joseph was elevated by God to this prominent position. I am sure that there were times in those many years that he doubted God; but he never wavered. Joseph remained faithful to God. In God’s time, Joseph was delivered from his brothers, from the bondage, from the prison, and from the humiliation of it all; and all of the world could see that Joseph was God’s man. Though, Joseph certainly did not enjoy all of the days of trial and affliction, I bet that at the end of his life he would say that it was all worth what God finally gave him.
We sing a song that says “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus”. I bet when Joseph hears us singing that song from his vantage point in Heaven, he says “Amen. It was worth it all”.
Stay faithful to God. You may be in Pharaoh’s dungeon right now, but if you are a child of God, I promise you, that He will some day pull you out of that awful place. Trust God. He has a purpose and a plan for it all. God doesn’t often fill us in about all of the details of His sovereign plan, but we can trust that He will work it all out in the end.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – (Romans 8:18)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – (Romans 8:28)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – (Isaiah 40:31)
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Don’t Lose Your Head by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Genesis 38 – 40
(Second Milers also read – Mark 1 – 2; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2
Good morning. After reading about the butler and the baker in Genesis 40, I wanted to take a closer look at them.
Pharaoh was angry, and the Bible doesn’t say exactly why. The problem could be traced to the Chief Butler, and the Chief Baker. It could have also been because of something one of their subordinates did to anger Pharaoh. Leadership is responsible for those they are leading. Pharaoh was angry and had the Chief Butler and the Chief Baker thrown into prison. They must have been old too, because God’s Word tells us that your old men shall dream dreams; which is exactly what they did (I know – I dream all the time!). As God would have it, their paths crossed with Joseph who was able to interpret their dreams. Good news for the butler, bad news for the baker. And the dreams came to pass: the butler was restored, and the baker was hung.
God is angry at the wicked every day (Ps. 7:11). God tells us (the butler and the baker’s dreams) in His Word that there is none righteous, and for all have sinned and come short of His glory (Romans 3:10,23). Joseph was there to explain the dreams (Ephesians 4:11-12). God provided the only Way out (Pharaoh brought them both out of prison). The Chief Butler received Pharaoh’s grace, the Chief Baker did not (Genesis 40:20-22). They were both servants to Pharaoh: the wages of sin is still death to the non-Christian as well as the Christian. We should always want to please God in all the things that we do. And God made it so simple for us. A lesson can be learned from a conversation that the Lord Jesus Christ had with Peter…
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved f0llowing; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:15-22).
When we do things like gossip, spread lies about people, or anything else to hurt the body of Christ, it angers God. If you have been hurt by gossip, or lies, or any other attack, God knows what happened. You need to pray for those who have done these things to you: they put themselves under the judgment of God. God knows how to chastise perfectly: He knows exactly what to do. As rotten as those who offended you seem to be, do you really want to see them chastised by God? Don’t you think it would be better if they humbled themselves and got their hearts right with God before the hammer comes down? Pray for them. Get back in church. Don’t lose your head. And as Jesus said, “…follow thou me.”
Peace. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Posted in Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.