Faith in Troubled Times (Pt. 3)

 

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”— that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. (Genesis 36:18-24 ESV).

 

It didn’t take long for the hatred of Joseph’s brothers to lead to action. They seized him and would have killed him had it not been for the intervention of Reuben. He convinces them to throw Joseph into a well. His reasoning was that this would be suffering enough and his body would likely never be found. Tucked into this story is a wonderful example of the providence of God. Notice the last verse of our reading: And they took him and threw him into a pit (cistern). The pit was empty; there was no water in it” (v. 24). God ensured Joseph’s survival, using Reuben, an empty cistern, and even Judah’s cruel-heartedness to work out His plans for the family of Jacob. Later, Judah would even suggest they could make money by selling Joseph to the passing caravan. They could be rid of him without having to kill him. Greed and hatred sealed the deal; however, this was merely a part of the bigger plan of God.

 

I have been “in the pit” enough to recognize the pain of rejection and hatred at the hands of others. Unfortunately, it happens all too often to all of us. The circumstances of life seem to impossibly difficult, our dreams seem to die, and we feel abandoned. In fact, we may even bemoan the fact that we survived the initial attack instead of mercifully being killed. I have also lived long enough to realize the hand of God was working for my good in those “pits.”

 

The key is trust. Trust in the plan and purpose of God that is motivated by His undeniable love for us. During most of those times for me personally, I found it difficult to do that. I wanted better than I was getting… by a lot. I questioned the intention of God. However, as soon as I recognized that God knew what He was doing and simply trusted, peace and purpose returned. It is about faith. Believe in your good Father.

 

Faith in Troubled Times (Pt. 2)

 

Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So, they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. (Genesis 37:5-8).

 

Forgiveness comes hard when people who do evil believe they have done nothing wrong. In fact, some of the greatest atrocities of written history were committed in the name of a cause or ideal. Today, we still see suicide bombers give up their lives to attack “the Great Satan.” During World War II, millions of Jews died in the name of Aryian supremacy. In the Middle Ages, inquisitions hunted down heretics who seemed to threaten the “purity” of the Roman church, and many people were tortured and killed. In Biblical history, rebellious kings and priests tried to gain power and keep control by killing God’s prophets, including Jesus. Though we don’t know what Joseph tattled about his older brothers, it soon becomes clear that they don’t like him. Far from it, they hate him. Seeing their father’s favoritism for Joseph they hate him even more when he tells them his dreams. Even Jacob, his father rebukes him. There was no room for a relational conversation with the dreamer.

 

It is impossible to get through life in a fallen world without being deeply wounded by someone and by wounding others. When wronged, we often want to get even somehow. But in light of who God is and what He has called us to, we have to get over getting even.

 

Social media has made this terribly destruction behavior even easier. I must admit that I have read posts from others that strike me as offensive and simply wrong. However, I have not responded in kind (at least yet). I have offered to have a non-competitive, relational conversation with folks before, though I have never been taken up on the offer. It seems it’s easier to call names and demean others with slurs and false accusations than it is to relate to one another in an effort to come to a mutual acceptable resolution. What happened to Joseph next was unthinkable. He was sold into slavery, narrowly escaping death. He must have felt abandoned under the crushing defeat of his dreams.

 

Yet this was exactly where God wanted him to be. In every trial, God allows us to go where we need to go and then works it for good. Trust your good-working God today. He has not relinquished control to your enemies no matter how painful or counterintuitive your experience seems.

 

Faith in Troubled Times (Pt. 1)

 

Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. (Genesis 37:1-4 ESV).

 

I have decided to begin a journey through the life of one of the most interesting and enigmatic patriarchs of the Old Testament: Joseph, son of Jacob. He was the 11th of 12 sons of a wealthy nomad Jacob and his second wife Rachel. His story is told in the book of Genesis chapters 37-50. Joseph’s story is a tale of jealousy, deceit, slavery, injustice, lust, rivalry, and forgiveness. It is also a wonderful example of how God worked in Joseph’s life through all of its ups and downs. Joseph was a life-sized illustration of one of the most inspiring and encouraging verses in the Scripture: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). My prayer is that these next few days will bring you the encouragement and hope that will allow you peace in every circumstance of your life, just as it did Joseph.

 

I know something of how Joseph might have felt being the “favorite son.” I must admit that my older brother’s certainly plowed the road for me to walk in a relatively smooth furrow. And my younger brother seemed to simply be left out of most of my Dad’s sphere of attention. Perhaps that was simply because I enjoyed all the things that Dad did. We enjoyed fishing, and hunting together. He taught me all that he knew about these things, as well as vocationally related things. I learned how to butcher from one of best in his careful instruction. There were also lessons learned that continue to influence me now dealing with a strong work ethic and persistence. However, the most important lesson he conveyed was an unwavering commitment to family. Why these things were not experienced by my brothers I may never really know. I do know I felt “favored.” Joseph felt that way; and, it set the stage for the rest of his journey. Joseph’s life illustrates how divine sovereignty and human responsibility intersect, as illustrated by Joseph’s comment late in his life: “What you meant for evil God meant for good” (Genesis 50:20). God’s sovereignty is a major theme in these chapters and we would do well to interpret Joseph’s life in light of God’s providence (cf. Genesis 45:4-9). Today, commit yourself to open your heart to the truth we will uncover in the coming days. Read Romans 8:28 again and use it as the foundation of your life.

The Old Rugged Cross

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV).

 

Some images and memories seem to fade with the years only to come into clear focus just when I least expect it. Most of the time the memory will call to mind something that is just perfect for the moment I may find myself experiencing. As I was sitting at the computer writing today, such an experience found me. I have been writing Morning Devotionals since 1998. I don’t really know how many that adds up to; the math is somewhat daunting to me right now. What I do know is I have never purposefully repeated a devotional. Even in my five decades of preaching, recycling sermons was never a practice of mine. Of course, some of the Scriptures may have been the same, even the central truth may have been the same; but the words were always freshly studied and prepared for the audience and the time. The Scripture has always been fresh to me… why shouldn’t it be to my audience?

 

You may imagine that practice has given me trouble from time to time. After all these years, what do I need to say now? That seems to be the question as I began to write today’s devotional. Then, as if perfectly on cue, the Holy Spirit gave me a memory. It took place over fifty years ago. I was less than three months a believer. My pastor and first mentor, Bailey Stone, asked me to accompany him to a speaking engagement at a youth camp. The time was invaluable. We have hours of driving to reach the camp as well as the time spent interacting with the leaders and youth at the camp that evening. After arriving and the introductions to the others, we were taken to a small room where just a few people were seated around a large dining table. Food was set and I was asked to lead the prayer for the blessing at the meal. I don’t remember being anxious or intimidated, though I’m sure I was. What I remember most vividly was what happened just prior to my praying for the group. A young black student was with the group. He was asked to sing a favorite hymn as we began. In a deep baritone voice he began to sing “The Old Rugged Cross.” When he came to the part which goes “…I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday to a crown” it dawned on me that there was nothing more I need to do to gain eternal life. Jesus did it all… that was the first moment I really knew how amazing God’s grace was! Jesus “endured the cross, suffered the shame” (v. 3) for me! Saying the blessing for our food was no difficulty at all! His grace is so amazing!

The Center of the Bible

 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off! I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 118:1-29 ESV).

 

There are those times when it is just fun to look at some Biblical trivia. Today is one of those days. I suppose it appears as if we are taking a break from the “meat” and merely drinking “milk.” However, I hope you will bear with me through these fun facts to get to the last truth in today’s devotional. Our reading today is the entirety of Psalm 118. Perhaps of some interest is that depending on what version you are using the very center of the Bible when measured by chapter count is Psalms 118. If we go down this path a bit further, we can also say: The longest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter (Psalm 119); the shortest chapter of the Bible falls just after this center chapter (Psalm 117); and, since there are exactly 594 chapters before Psalm 118, and exactly 594 chapters after it, the total number of chapters before Psalms 118 and those after is 1,118, making the verse at the very center of the Bible Psalms 118:8. I’ve placed it in bold italics in our reading.

 

This central verse of the Bible reminds believers to ask the question, "Are you centered in your trust in God?" It is a particular verse that reminds Christians to trust in God over trusting in themselves or other people. As Christians understand, God consistently provides for us and His grace is given to us freely through Jesus. He is the center of Scripture! Is He the center of your life?

The Dwelling Place of God

 

O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! (Psalm 84:1-4 ESV).

 

Our reading today describes a person whose soul yearns for the “courts of the Lord” (v. 1). Often this reading is used incorrectly to urge people to be in a church building for worship activities. While it is always profitable to be in community with other believers to worship, study, and fellowship, this is not the central focus of the writer. The key is in the second verse. He mentions the sparrows and swallows who find a safe place to nest. That place is at “the altar” of the Lord. The strong emotions he uses give us an understanding of a similar instruction from Jesus in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6 ESV).

 

In this psalm, the writer praises the Lord for the beauty of His dwelling place. It’s a place where he can find rest, worship, and draw near to the Lord and be strengthened. In the writer’s day the only place that could be accomplished was at the Temple. God had restricted His presence to the Holy of Holies within the Temple. However, that changed with the death of Jesus. The barrier was ripped away and God’s Spirit was loosed into the heart and mind of every believer. The wonder of this act is that we no longer to make a literal pilgrimage to a geographical place to find this safe dwelling place.

 

I’ve watched the sparrows and swallow come and go with the seasons at our house. The sparrows often go back to same spots they have always gone. The swallows are especially fond of building their nests in the same corners and eaves of the house. I suppose that’s simply because they have found these places safe from predators and easily accessible. Make the connection. We now have the very presence of God living with us. The Holy Spirit has made our heart His home. Therefore, we take this safe dwelling place with us wherever we go. I admit that there are some places that feel more like the altar of God to me. I find it much easier to feel God sitting in a tree hunting, or drifting in a boat fishing; but, I am always with God, safe and secure. That knowledge gives me great comfort. When you learn this truth it will do the same for you. Long for it… thirst for it… hunger for it. You will find it!

 

Needful Things

 

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 ESV).

 

I am often amazed by others speaking with such assurance and authority about what we “need.” Often it is rooted in something we need to do or become. It is often a task or group goal dealing with a need for volunteers or financial support. It is always performance oriented. Our reading today has an interesting response from Jesus that ought to prompt us to reevaluate our priorities concerning “Needful Things.” Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (v. 42).

 

We are such a performance oriented culture. We have become so accustomed to measuring our success by our behavior. We believe the bigger, better, faster philosophy of our technologically driven way of life. If it is bigger, better, and faster we must be going in the right direction. Therefore we chase the newest developments and products that will help us to be better. Of course, developments in technology and manufacturing have made our lives easier and more productive in many ways, but that is not the “good portion” Jesus is talking about. One thing is needful… get that and all the other things will come as well.

 

That one thing is to remain in the presence of Jesus. That means being centered in Him for every decision, practice, or service we attempt. Recently while reading from The Valley of Vision, which is a compilation of Puritan prayers and devotions, I read an entry that ended with the following:

 

“Fill the garden of my soul with the wind of love, that the scents of the Christian life may be wafted to others; then come and gather fruits to thy glory.”

 

Make that your prayer and practice today. That is needful.