Day 77: Exodus 27, Psalm 77 & 1 Samuel 28
Have you ever chosen NOT to listen to one of your children? Maybe you don't have kids, don't mean to leave you out, so I'll change it up. Is there someone in your life that continues to make terrible choices even though they ask for you input and you give them sound advice? You may spend hours helping them process a problem or decision and then they go out and do the exact opposite of what you had determined would be the best course of action. Pretty soon, you just stop helping them figure it out because it just seems like a waste of time.
Asaph in Psalm 77 begins his prayer with this line, "My voice rises to God..." I like that. God hears our prayers. Process that for a moment. The voice that spoke light, the sun, moon, planets and stars into existence pauses to listen to your voice when you speak to Him. That's amazing.
In 1 Samuel 28 though we read about Saul who says, "...The Philistines are waging war against me and God has departed from me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you..." Saul had gone to a medium to conjure up the Spirit of Samuel (by the way, in this case it was actually who it was supposed to be, Samuel, because God wanted to make sure Saul got the message. I believe mediums conjure up evil spirits, not the actual person they are supposed to be talking to. And since Satan knows information about us he is able to make a pretty convincing show, but evil is evil no matter how realistic or pretty it looks).
God had stopped answering Saul, but had not stopped listening to him. Samuels appearance and response proves that God heard him, but was not responding. And the reason He wasn't responding is the same reason we stop giving advice to friends who don't take it.
Saul had determined that his way was the best way and he had chosen to disregard God's direction and plan for his life and live by his own rules. Since God does not "possess" anyone, like Satan does, Saul was free to go his own way, but God was not going to honor his disobedience.
Are you having a hard time hearing from God?
Have you decided to ask God's opinion and then disregard it and do your own thing?
Know this, God always hears your voice, but He doesn't always respond to it, especially if we've been frivolous with His precepts and directives.
Perhaps it's time to do what Saul couldn't, confess your stubbornness and repent - that means change your behavior. And see if God doesn't get real loud in your life real fast.
Thoughts on the Bible, Church, life and living it to its full potential in Jesus Christ!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
My Next Tattoo
Day 73: Exodus 23, Psalm 73 & 1 Samuel 24
On my right shoulder I have a tattoo of a cross and thorn crown with Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. It was my first tattoo in the dining room of a man I got to baptize and a sober free-lance tattoo artist. By the way, this is not a recommendation!
I want a tattoo to mean something. I want it to be personal. I want it to relate to something I've been through or aspire to. I don't always die to myself so that I can live for Christ, but I think about it every time I see my right shoulder or catch a glimpse of the bottom of the cross from underneath my short sleeve.
I'm not here to argue the spiritual ramification or theological implications of tattoos. If you don't have one, good for you. I do. You won't go to hell for my tattoos so I'm pretty sure you're okay. And since I don't believe I'll go to hell for having them, I'm pretty sure I'm okay too.
I was reading Psalm 73 and it is a prayer that really resonated with me. Asaph, a prophet of God is telling God about how he had almost fallen into the trap of being envious of sinners. As he looked around and saw all those who were not following God but had money, full bellies and it appeared did not have a care in the world, he was crushed by his own position. As he looked in the mirror he saw himself, follower of God who always sought to do good, poor, hungry and worried all the time about these people who didn't seem to care that they were going to hell.
He began to get frustrated with God and almost chucked it all out the window. But then he came to his senses. He realized that in the end these people who were living it up now were going to come to a bitter and eternal end. They may have been fat physically but they were spiritually anorexic.
Asaph then begins to call out to God to help him stand strong in the truth and not be swayed by what he saw with his eyes. He prayed that he would not fall under the spell of Satan and give up what He knew was of real worth and lasting hope.
In verse 26 he says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." I love that. God, I am weak. I may fall and sin and I may think that I don't have the strength to do what I should, but then I remember that YOU God, are my strength - it's not my heart that leads and guides but it's You IN my heart that causes me to walk in your ways. And no matter Satan has to offer through this world You will always be my portion, You are all I need.
I think the inside of my right forearm is the perfect place for that nugget of truth that I have struggled with before and will be for me a constant reminder that God is greater and Him in me is all the strength I need.
On my right shoulder I have a tattoo of a cross and thorn crown with Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. It was my first tattoo in the dining room of a man I got to baptize and a sober free-lance tattoo artist. By the way, this is not a recommendation!
I want a tattoo to mean something. I want it to be personal. I want it to relate to something I've been through or aspire to. I don't always die to myself so that I can live for Christ, but I think about it every time I see my right shoulder or catch a glimpse of the bottom of the cross from underneath my short sleeve.
I'm not here to argue the spiritual ramification or theological implications of tattoos. If you don't have one, good for you. I do. You won't go to hell for my tattoos so I'm pretty sure you're okay. And since I don't believe I'll go to hell for having them, I'm pretty sure I'm okay too.
I was reading Psalm 73 and it is a prayer that really resonated with me. Asaph, a prophet of God is telling God about how he had almost fallen into the trap of being envious of sinners. As he looked around and saw all those who were not following God but had money, full bellies and it appeared did not have a care in the world, he was crushed by his own position. As he looked in the mirror he saw himself, follower of God who always sought to do good, poor, hungry and worried all the time about these people who didn't seem to care that they were going to hell.
He began to get frustrated with God and almost chucked it all out the window. But then he came to his senses. He realized that in the end these people who were living it up now were going to come to a bitter and eternal end. They may have been fat physically but they were spiritually anorexic.
Asaph then begins to call out to God to help him stand strong in the truth and not be swayed by what he saw with his eyes. He prayed that he would not fall under the spell of Satan and give up what He knew was of real worth and lasting hope.
In verse 26 he says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." I love that. God, I am weak. I may fall and sin and I may think that I don't have the strength to do what I should, but then I remember that YOU God, are my strength - it's not my heart that leads and guides but it's You IN my heart that causes me to walk in your ways. And no matter Satan has to offer through this world You will always be my portion, You are all I need.
I think the inside of my right forearm is the perfect place for that nugget of truth that I have struggled with before and will be for me a constant reminder that God is greater and Him in me is all the strength I need.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Do Not Delay
Day 72: Exodus 22, Psalm 72 & 1 Samuel 23
Have you ever bought into the trap of "delayed payment"? You know, PAY NOTHING NOW! No interest till next year! Every time you see a credit card commercial on television remind yourself that that multi-million dollar commercial was paid for because you wanted something now instead of later. Makes you feel good, huh.
It's always more difficult to pay for something you already have. And many times, if I'm saving money for something I want, something else comes up and I end up pulling from my stash to cover it. Thus delaying the purchase I intended to make.
Perhaps that is the whole reason behind verse 29 of Exodus 22 which says, "do not delay the offering from your harvest or vintage."
When we delay giving to God what He has asked for we almost always find someplace else for it to go. The car breaks down. Kids to the doctor. Need to call a repair man. There's the money I was going to give to God...
But it's not even just a money issue. Anything we commit to God and then delay is a problem waiting to happen. Soon, we'll convince ourselves that God doesn't need it or want it - which is true about everything we offer Him - so why do we need to give it? God wants our trust and our heart, following through with the things we have committed to God causes us to trust Him.
When you make a commitment to God, do not delay the offering and you'll see that He is present with you and waiting to support you when you give what you have intended.
Have you ever bought into the trap of "delayed payment"? You know, PAY NOTHING NOW! No interest till next year! Every time you see a credit card commercial on television remind yourself that that multi-million dollar commercial was paid for because you wanted something now instead of later. Makes you feel good, huh.
It's always more difficult to pay for something you already have. And many times, if I'm saving money for something I want, something else comes up and I end up pulling from my stash to cover it. Thus delaying the purchase I intended to make.
Perhaps that is the whole reason behind verse 29 of Exodus 22 which says, "do not delay the offering from your harvest or vintage."
When we delay giving to God what He has asked for we almost always find someplace else for it to go. The car breaks down. Kids to the doctor. Need to call a repair man. There's the money I was going to give to God...
But it's not even just a money issue. Anything we commit to God and then delay is a problem waiting to happen. Soon, we'll convince ourselves that God doesn't need it or want it - which is true about everything we offer Him - so why do we need to give it? God wants our trust and our heart, following through with the things we have committed to God causes us to trust Him.
When you make a commitment to God, do not delay the offering and you'll see that He is present with you and waiting to support you when you give what you have intended.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Who Do You Go To When You're In Trouble?
Day 71: Exodus 21, Psalm 71, 1 Samuel 22
When I was a kid I recall getting in trouble and being disciplined by my parents. Usually that was not pleasant at all. I even had moments of pretty intense opposition with my parents. I recall one time getting into an argument with my father over my sisters dog. I don't remember every detail but I do remember looking down at one point and realizing my father, like me, was making fists. Intense.
But you know what. Whenever I had a problem my same parents who disciplined me and who I at times disagreed strongly with, were the first ones I ran to.
I think David knew this very well himself. Here's how he put it in verse 20, "You who have shown me many troubles and distresses will revive me again and will bring me up from the depths of the earth."
David understood that, like parents, God has an obligation to discipline His children. But that is only a part of His role. And the purpose of that discipline is to lead us closer to Him. Because He is the only one who can revive us and bring us up from the depths of the earth.
My parents were able to discipline me AND rescue me at times because they loved me. But their love for me pales in comparison to the love God has for me.
God loves you so much that He died for you, do you really think He doesn't have your best interests at heart? He wants you to know Him and lead you to the best life possible and sometimes that happens through His discipline. Besides, to who else can you and I go? The only hope we have in this life is Jesus. Who else is there? David knew that. No matter how bad things get there is always hope in Jesus and there is never hope in anything else or anyone else. In trouble? Go to the only one who can not only fix your problem, but fix the cause of your problem.
When I was a kid I recall getting in trouble and being disciplined by my parents. Usually that was not pleasant at all. I even had moments of pretty intense opposition with my parents. I recall one time getting into an argument with my father over my sisters dog. I don't remember every detail but I do remember looking down at one point and realizing my father, like me, was making fists. Intense.
But you know what. Whenever I had a problem my same parents who disciplined me and who I at times disagreed strongly with, were the first ones I ran to.
I think David knew this very well himself. Here's how he put it in verse 20, "You who have shown me many troubles and distresses will revive me again and will bring me up from the depths of the earth."
David understood that, like parents, God has an obligation to discipline His children. But that is only a part of His role. And the purpose of that discipline is to lead us closer to Him. Because He is the only one who can revive us and bring us up from the depths of the earth.
My parents were able to discipline me AND rescue me at times because they loved me. But their love for me pales in comparison to the love God has for me.
God loves you so much that He died for you, do you really think He doesn't have your best interests at heart? He wants you to know Him and lead you to the best life possible and sometimes that happens through His discipline. Besides, to who else can you and I go? The only hope we have in this life is Jesus. Who else is there? David knew that. No matter how bad things get there is always hope in Jesus and there is never hope in anything else or anyone else. In trouble? Go to the only one who can not only fix your problem, but fix the cause of your problem.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Top Three: God
Day 70: Exodus 20, Psalm 70 & 1 Samuel 21
There are times when it is acceptable to state, for the record, your accomplishments. I recently heard a woman address a congressional sub-committee and she started out with her name and a list of the organizations she is involved in. She owns a company with her husband and also runs a non-profit and political action group and she shared that in an attempt to lay a foundation for why the members of this congressional subcommittee should listen to her.
When God started out with the 10 Commands in Exodus 20 He did the same thing.
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
Pretty impressive. Mine goes something like, "I am your husband, who rescued you from all those other losers..." It doesn't get me near as much attention and respect as I think it should. What God doesn't mention is how He did the rescuing, plagues, parting of the sea, destruction of Egypt's entire army, manna, quail, waters turned sweet and water from a rock, just to name a few. I think they probably remembered that part.
Now that God established who it was that was talking and why they should listen He goes on.
There are times when it is acceptable to state, for the record, your accomplishments. I recently heard a woman address a congressional sub-committee and she started out with her name and a list of the organizations she is involved in. She owns a company with her husband and also runs a non-profit and political action group and she shared that in an attempt to lay a foundation for why the members of this congressional subcommittee should listen to her.
When God started out with the 10 Commands in Exodus 20 He did the same thing.
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
Pretty impressive. Mine goes something like, "I am your husband, who rescued you from all those other losers..." It doesn't get me near as much attention and respect as I think it should. What God doesn't mention is how He did the rescuing, plagues, parting of the sea, destruction of Egypt's entire army, manna, quail, waters turned sweet and water from a rock, just to name a few. I think they probably remembered that part.
Now that God established who it was that was talking and why they should listen He goes on.
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself and idol to worship or serve.
- You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His Name in vain.
Boom.
I think God can say the same thing to me and you too. I am the Lord, who brought you out of the land of sin, shame and guilt, out of the house of punishment, wrath and death.
So how do we do with the first three commands?
Honestly, we do put other things before God.
- Our kids or spouse
- Our "toys"
- Our hobbies
- Our wants (we call them needs usually)
- Our warm bed on cold Sunday mornings
- Our finances - by how we use them
Number two we don't really have a problem with, I don't know too many christians who are out in their garages casing idols or carving them.
But number three is a problem.
I know what you're saying, "OMG, are you serious?!" Yes. Yes I am.
What do you think using the Name of the Lord in vain means? It means using his Name in a manner that is beneath Him as the Holy creator, God. So if you are not speaking to Him or about Him in a manner worthy OF Him you are breaking the third command.
His Name is Holy. And anyone who uses His Name in a manner unworthy of Him will NOT go unpunished BY Him.
So the next time you say God's Name in anger or frivolity remember number 3 and DON'T!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
You Don't Need A Super Hero, You've Got A Savior
Day 64: Exodus 15, Psalm 64 and 1 Samuel 16
In the newest Superman movie Superman's biological parents believe that he will be a savior to the people of earth and lead them through his strength to be better, kinder and achieve a higher level of humanity because of Superman's inspiration. It's a great sentiment, but we soon find out that while Superman has the ability to inspire people to be more helpful, he is powerless to change their fundamental behavior. He can inspire people but he cannot change them.
Jesus is a hero unlike any before or after. He doesn't just swoop in and save the day He saves the people.
In Exodus 15 Moses has composed a "song" about the salvation that the people have just witnessed at the hands of God through the crossing of the Gulf of Aqaba. And there is a line of the song that really struck me.
"In Your lovingkindness You have led the people, whom You have redeemed; in Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation," verse 13.
God doesn't just save a people from a moment in time when they are facing death, like Superman and others. He redeems them - pays the price for their freedom - and then leads them in ways to avoid the situations that got them in trouble in the first place. Because of His love He not only saves, He leads and guides them to exactly the place He has prepared for them.
You have been redeemed, which means bought, purchased, saved to a purpose. But God doesn't just leave you there, He also leads you (because of His great love for you) to exactly the place He desires you to be. It is by His strength that you arrive there, right where He wanted. He can even use your mistakes to bring you to the place He has prepared for you.
Other super heroes save the day. God has saved you and then leads you and provides the strength for you to avoid what others fall prey to. You don't need a super hero, you have a Savior.
In the newest Superman movie Superman's biological parents believe that he will be a savior to the people of earth and lead them through his strength to be better, kinder and achieve a higher level of humanity because of Superman's inspiration. It's a great sentiment, but we soon find out that while Superman has the ability to inspire people to be more helpful, he is powerless to change their fundamental behavior. He can inspire people but he cannot change them.
Jesus is a hero unlike any before or after. He doesn't just swoop in and save the day He saves the people.
In Exodus 15 Moses has composed a "song" about the salvation that the people have just witnessed at the hands of God through the crossing of the Gulf of Aqaba. And there is a line of the song that really struck me.
"In Your lovingkindness You have led the people, whom You have redeemed; in Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation," verse 13.
God doesn't just save a people from a moment in time when they are facing death, like Superman and others. He redeems them - pays the price for their freedom - and then leads them in ways to avoid the situations that got them in trouble in the first place. Because of His love He not only saves, He leads and guides them to exactly the place He has prepared for them.
You have been redeemed, which means bought, purchased, saved to a purpose. But God doesn't just leave you there, He also leads you (because of His great love for you) to exactly the place He desires you to be. It is by His strength that you arrive there, right where He wanted. He can even use your mistakes to bring you to the place He has prepared for you.
Other super heroes save the day. God has saved you and then leads you and provides the strength for you to avoid what others fall prey to. You don't need a super hero, you have a Savior.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Partial or Substitutionary Obedience Doesn't Qualify
Day 64: Exodus 14, Psalms 64 and 1 Samuel 15
Have you ever been in one of those situation where a child disobeys but does something nice? I've got four children so this has happened more than once in my household. I give one of my children an instruction, something like, clean your room while we're gone tonight. When I return they are so excited to show me what they did, washed/dried/put away all the dishes or did their laundry and their siblings or cleaned the living room, etc., everything - anything - but what they were told to do.
I feel guilty for punishing them. But only for a short time. And they always look at me the same, with that completely lost look on their face. But, I did way more than just clean my room, doesn't matter, you were told to clean your room. I appreciate their extra work, but doing something you want in order to get out of doing something you don't want to do doesn't work.
King Saul found himself in this same situation and honestly I think we Christians do this way more than we'd like to admit.
Here's what happened to Saul. The Prophet Samuel told Saul that God wanted him to utterly destroy the Amalekites (this was pay back for something they had done to Israel many years before and God had made a promise to wipe them out because of it) and all their animals. Saul was to kill everything and burn the rest - no plunder from the city could be taken. But when Samuel arrived after the victory over Amalek he found that Saul and the soldiers had done what God commanded... almost. They killed everything that was worthless or despised but the best animals and even gold, etc., they kept in order to sacrifice it to God as an offering.
There's a couple problems with this.
Have you ever been in one of those situation where a child disobeys but does something nice? I've got four children so this has happened more than once in my household. I give one of my children an instruction, something like, clean your room while we're gone tonight. When I return they are so excited to show me what they did, washed/dried/put away all the dishes or did their laundry and their siblings or cleaned the living room, etc., everything - anything - but what they were told to do.
I feel guilty for punishing them. But only for a short time. And they always look at me the same, with that completely lost look on their face. But, I did way more than just clean my room, doesn't matter, you were told to clean your room. I appreciate their extra work, but doing something you want in order to get out of doing something you don't want to do doesn't work.
King Saul found himself in this same situation and honestly I think we Christians do this way more than we'd like to admit.
Here's what happened to Saul. The Prophet Samuel told Saul that God wanted him to utterly destroy the Amalekites (this was pay back for something they had done to Israel many years before and God had made a promise to wipe them out because of it) and all their animals. Saul was to kill everything and burn the rest - no plunder from the city could be taken. But when Samuel arrived after the victory over Amalek he found that Saul and the soldiers had done what God commanded... almost. They killed everything that was worthless or despised but the best animals and even gold, etc., they kept in order to sacrifice it to God as an offering.
There's a couple problems with this.
- Obeying God mostly, is not obeying at all. The command was kill everything and destroy the rest - anything short of that was disobedience.
- The sacrifice God wanted was the destruction of Amalek and everything in the city. When Saul took the best and left the rest He gave to God the worst as a sacrifice and kept the best for himself.
- Giving God something He doesn't want and didn't ask for does not make disobeying Him, and keeping from Him what He did ask for, okay.
I think that many Christians today obey God partly and think they're doing enough, or like Saul, fooling themselves into thinking that they have obeyed when they have only obeyed partially. Perhaps they have believed and confessed and repented but refuse to be immersed - even though the Bible commands that we be baptized just as it does that we confess, repent and believe. Partial obedience is not obedience.
Another thing I notice Christians are really good at, like Saul, is giving God what we don't want any longer and expecting Him to happy with our leftovers. People from every church and denomination will give to the church their old vacuums and furniture and broken down, used up, whatever and then go purchase for themselves brand new items. Just like Saul left for God in Amalek all the disposed and worthless and took the best for themselves. (Yes, I know they were "sacrificing them to God" but that is not what God asked for the "sacrifice" was what was left in Amalek and burned.) I wonder if God were actually present in the flesh in our churches if we would give Him our broken down and worthless stuff and buy the new for ourselves or if it would be the other way around.
Finally we try to manipulate God by substituting what we want to give Him for what He asks for. Perhaps the best example of this is in the area of finances. We substitute other gifts, sacrifices or inconveniences for what He asked for, a small portion of what He has given us as a token of understanding that it came from Him in the first place. I knew a person in a church I pastored who refused to give financially but volunteered their time to keep the churches books and counted those hours spent in that service as their tithe. But that is not what God asked for. He didn't say 10% of whatever you want to give me. He said, 10% of your increase or income.
How have you been at obeying God completely? Do you give Him only you're willing to give? Or do you give what He asks for? Do you "sacrifice" your worst and worthless to Him or do you give Him your best? Does He get the leftovers or does He get first dibs?
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
You Be God's Physical Representation On Earth Today.
Day 63: Exodus 13, Psalms 63 and 1 Samuel 14
When God led the Israelites out of the land of Egypt He did not leave them alone to decide which path to take, but He led them personally in the form of a pillar of cloud extending to heaven during the day and a pillar of blazing fire at night.
This allowed the Israelites a unique benefit.
When God led the Israelites out of the land of Egypt He did not leave them alone to decide which path to take, but He led them personally in the form of a pillar of cloud extending to heaven during the day and a pillar of blazing fire at night.
This allowed the Israelites a unique benefit.
- They always knew which way God wanted them to go because they were following Him.
- Through the cloud and fire they were able to travel at any time God chose. The pillar of fire was bright enough to illuminate the land so that several million people could see to travel, even at night.
- Imagine if you were an enemy of the Israelites and you sent spies out to check on them and they saw this huge pillar of smoke and fire present with the Israelites all the time - a fire at night that was bright enough to be seen for many, many miles.
- When the Israelites would set up their tents there were holes in the top and they were arranged around the Tabernacle (once it was constructed) where the pillar of fire or cloud would rest when they were camped. That meant that every Israelite, during the day or night would be able to see the pillar and know if God were with them or was moving on.
This sounds pretty amazing doesn't it?! God's presence with you every day and night. Wouldn't it be great to have this pillar today? To lead you exactly where God wanted you to go that day, or to stay when He thought that was best. Everyone would know that God was with you because of the pillar of smoke or fire.
But that is not how God works today. Right before Jesus was taken to heaven, after the resurrection, He told His disciples that another counselor was coming from God. This counselor would not just be with them, as He was, but would be in them and work through them. This personal presence is far superior to following a cloud or a fire. In us we have the Holy Spirit - God's very Spirit to be our guide. Not to lead us as a child leads a dog on a walk, but to share with us the very mind of Christ that we might be the representation of God on the earth.
You and I, as believers, as walking pillars of cloud and fire. We are the presence of God in us, a visible, earthly expression of God's associating with humanity. When we move it should be as God moves. When we stay it should be because God has stayed. Jesus said that He came to do the will of His Father who sent Him - and the same should be true for us.
Don't wait for God to reveal Himself in some other physical form, you are the form of God on earth through the Holy Spirit's presence in your life. Tap into that presence that is promised. Seek His leading and guiding. Move in accordance to the Spirit's movements and you'll find yourself exactly where God wants you to be.
Jesus said that He did whatever He saw His Father doing. That should be our goal too. But in order for that to happen we must be watching our Father. Our eyes must be on His heart and what He would do and then the Holy Spirit will give us the ability to carry it out, whether it be little or big, it's nothing for God.
You be the representation of God on the earth so that when others see you they see Him and worship Him.
Monday, March 3, 2014
My Sin Has Been Passed Over.
Day 62: Exodus 12, Psalms 62 and 1 Samuel 13
The night before the Israelites fled Egypt God sent a plague that took he life of every first born male from the least family to the greatest and even from every flock and herd. Every home that did not have the blood of the Passover Lamb on the doorposts and the lintel (the sides of the front door and the above it).
That night thousands, perhaps 100's of thousands died because of Pharaoh's stubbornness. But the Israelites were spared because of the blood.
The perfect lamb that was to be slaughtered and eaten and whose blood was used for the door is called the Passover Lamb because it was through this blood-mark on the door that the "angel of death," would "pass over" the homes and spare the first born inside.
Now, 1400 years later Jesus became OUR Passover Lamb, a perfect male lamb who was sacrificed that and His blood spilt so that death might "pass over" those who symbolically are washed or covered by His blood. Jesus died, as the first-born of God in our place.
Consider also that in the Christian Church we offer communion every week. A time to symbolically associate with and remember the death of Jesus and we drink a small cup of grape juice that represents His blood. The blood that was shed for our salvation so that we would not face death as though who are NOT covered by His blood. Gives a little more meaning to this act of worship that we take time to remember each Sunday, doesn't it.
You and I deserve death because we have hardened our hearts against God from time to time just like Pharaoh. We have made promises we didn't keep and seen God work in our lives just to pass it off as a coincidence and forget about Him again. But the blood of Jesus covers our sins - not because we're perfect, but because we obeyed. Because we believed that by marking ourselves with the blood of Jesus through His death burial and resurrection and participation in that through baptism we would be saved.
And now we no longer fear death because the perfect Passover Lamb has been slain for us and we have been covered by His blood and death has lost it's sting.
Thank you Father for your perfect plan that wasn't caught up in what we do but in whose we are - blood children of Yours through the sacrifice of Jesus.
The night before the Israelites fled Egypt God sent a plague that took he life of every first born male from the least family to the greatest and even from every flock and herd. Every home that did not have the blood of the Passover Lamb on the doorposts and the lintel (the sides of the front door and the above it).
That night thousands, perhaps 100's of thousands died because of Pharaoh's stubbornness. But the Israelites were spared because of the blood.
The perfect lamb that was to be slaughtered and eaten and whose blood was used for the door is called the Passover Lamb because it was through this blood-mark on the door that the "angel of death," would "pass over" the homes and spare the first born inside.
Now, 1400 years later Jesus became OUR Passover Lamb, a perfect male lamb who was sacrificed that and His blood spilt so that death might "pass over" those who symbolically are washed or covered by His blood. Jesus died, as the first-born of God in our place.
Consider also that in the Christian Church we offer communion every week. A time to symbolically associate with and remember the death of Jesus and we drink a small cup of grape juice that represents His blood. The blood that was shed for our salvation so that we would not face death as though who are NOT covered by His blood. Gives a little more meaning to this act of worship that we take time to remember each Sunday, doesn't it.
You and I deserve death because we have hardened our hearts against God from time to time just like Pharaoh. We have made promises we didn't keep and seen God work in our lives just to pass it off as a coincidence and forget about Him again. But the blood of Jesus covers our sins - not because we're perfect, but because we obeyed. Because we believed that by marking ourselves with the blood of Jesus through His death burial and resurrection and participation in that through baptism we would be saved.
And now we no longer fear death because the perfect Passover Lamb has been slain for us and we have been covered by His blood and death has lost it's sting.
Thank you Father for your perfect plan that wasn't caught up in what we do but in whose we are - blood children of Yours through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Often Imitated, Never Duplicated
Day 58: Exodus 8, Psalms 58, 1 Samuel 9
We're in the first four plagues that God brought on Egypt through Moses and Aaron. And something interesting is taking place that is just too strange to pass over.
The first Plague was the staff turning into a snake, then the Nile turned to blood. In chapter eight its the frogs and the gnats.
But what is strange is the way it all played out with the Egyptian magicians. In the first plague the magicians were able to turn their staffs into snakes, but Moses staff/snake ate the snakes of the magicians. And it just gets more strange from there.
When the Nile is turned to blood so that the Egyptians could not drink it or bathe in it the Egyptian magicians turned a bunch more of the limited water of Egypt to blood (remember this is a desert environment).
Then the frogs came, millions of them hopping out of the waters of the Nile and covering the land. They didn't have homes like we do so there were frogs everywhere. Open the door and you'd step on frogs as you went to work. Frogs in your house, on your furniture in your bed on your body they could not get rid of them or keep them from getting into every nook and cranny in their homes. They were in their tubs and pots and pans, everywhere. Then the Egyptian magicians also made frogs appear.
But when God brought that gnats on the land the Egyptian magicians could not duplicate that plague and finally admitted that it was God who was bringing the plagues.
Here's the thing. The Egyptian magicians were able to imitate these plagues of God by the limited power of Satan. They could imitate the staff to snake but their snakes were eaten up. They could imitate water turning to blood and they could imitate the frogs.
But consider this, if you were an Egyptian magician trying to prove that these men were not from the all powerful God wouldn't you want to EASE the suffering of your people instead of increasing it? Wouldn't you turn some of the bloody water back to drinkable water? Wouldn't you want to somehow kill the frogs so the plague was not as bad? Instead these brilliant magicians actually make the situation WORSE!
If I were Pharaoh I would not be very happy with my magicians. Satan can imitate some of the power of God but he can not duplicate it.
Instead of being enamored with Satan's power I would suggest your look at what is really going on. Is God's power being imitated or duplicated - there is a huge difference. Satan's power is limited and that means those who would wield that power are limited also. Don't give Satan more power than he actually has. He can imitate but he can not duplicate. And he always makes matters worse instead of better!
We're in the first four plagues that God brought on Egypt through Moses and Aaron. And something interesting is taking place that is just too strange to pass over.
The first Plague was the staff turning into a snake, then the Nile turned to blood. In chapter eight its the frogs and the gnats.
But what is strange is the way it all played out with the Egyptian magicians. In the first plague the magicians were able to turn their staffs into snakes, but Moses staff/snake ate the snakes of the magicians. And it just gets more strange from there.
When the Nile is turned to blood so that the Egyptians could not drink it or bathe in it the Egyptian magicians turned a bunch more of the limited water of Egypt to blood (remember this is a desert environment).
Then the frogs came, millions of them hopping out of the waters of the Nile and covering the land. They didn't have homes like we do so there were frogs everywhere. Open the door and you'd step on frogs as you went to work. Frogs in your house, on your furniture in your bed on your body they could not get rid of them or keep them from getting into every nook and cranny in their homes. They were in their tubs and pots and pans, everywhere. Then the Egyptian magicians also made frogs appear.
But when God brought that gnats on the land the Egyptian magicians could not duplicate that plague and finally admitted that it was God who was bringing the plagues.
Here's the thing. The Egyptian magicians were able to imitate these plagues of God by the limited power of Satan. They could imitate the staff to snake but their snakes were eaten up. They could imitate water turning to blood and they could imitate the frogs.
But consider this, if you were an Egyptian magician trying to prove that these men were not from the all powerful God wouldn't you want to EASE the suffering of your people instead of increasing it? Wouldn't you turn some of the bloody water back to drinkable water? Wouldn't you want to somehow kill the frogs so the plague was not as bad? Instead these brilliant magicians actually make the situation WORSE!
If I were Pharaoh I would not be very happy with my magicians. Satan can imitate some of the power of God but he can not duplicate it.
Instead of being enamored with Satan's power I would suggest your look at what is really going on. Is God's power being imitated or duplicated - there is a huge difference. Satan's power is limited and that means those who would wield that power are limited also. Don't give Satan more power than he actually has. He can imitate but he can not duplicate. And he always makes matters worse instead of better!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Everybody Else Has One...
Day 57: Exodus 7, Psalm 57, 1 Samuel 8
We always seem to want what we can't or what we shouldn't have. Too often we seek God last instead of first.
It was God who led Israel out of Egypt. He who delivered them from Pharaoh's hand, crushing his army and saving the people of Israel. He revealed Himself in a pillar of fire and cloud - something that had never been done before. He turned bitter water sweet, made the sun stand still, routed armies before Israel even assembled for battle. He was with His people and they were led by men who were His voice to the people. When they obeyed God and served and worshiped Him alone the nations around them trembled. They all knew what God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt and to every nation that oppressed the people of Israel so that they feared the God of Israel. But none of this was good enough.
When the prophet/judge Samuel was advanced in years the people came to him and asked for a king to rule over them. Their reasoning was two-fold: 1, Samuel would soon die and his two sons were not like him. They did not serve the people before God honorably. 2, They wanted to be like all the other nations around them who had kings.
Can you believe that? They had the perfect setup. The God of the universe had chosen them to be His people. He fought for them, protected them, provided for them and had a great plan for them as a people, but they wanted to be like everyone else. So even though He revealed Himself to them through incredible signs and wonders they still worshiped other gods - idols of wood and stone and metal. And if the division of their hearts was not enough they chose a mere man to lead them instead of God-of-the-angel-armies.
So God gave them what they wanted. He laid out all that would go wrong with their king but gave them what they wanted.
I sometimes have to do this with my kids. Explain that what they think they want will change their lives in ways they can't understand and won't like but, then, let them have their way.
God does the same with us today. He will not force Himself on you. If He did there would be no "freedom in Christ." His desire is that we would choose Him because of who He is and what He has done, but He does not force Himself on anyone.
Yet, we constantly choose to look like the world around us. We idolize people and worship them. Whether they be athletes, movie stars or simply characters from a favorite book or movie. We want to dress like them, look like them, act like them. And little by little they become our gods.
If you are a believer listen to me. God will let you go off and follow your own pursuits. He will let you become a servant to whatever king you choose. He warns... but allows. However, this is never to your benefit. Whatever is king over you soon ends up taking from you instead of giving. Your best ideas, your youth, your beauty, your strength, your focus and maybe even your life. God, on the other hand, wants to give to you. He wants to give you life. He wants you to have eyes to see your own beauty. He becomes your strength and pours out creativity. He even makes your youth count for something beyond you.
Every other king we may choose to lift up will take from us, but God, our invisible yet clearly perceived King wants to give us everything we ever wanted. Sometimes, what everybody else has isn't what you really want anyway.
Seek FIRST His Kingdom...
We always seem to want what we can't or what we shouldn't have. Too often we seek God last instead of first.
It was God who led Israel out of Egypt. He who delivered them from Pharaoh's hand, crushing his army and saving the people of Israel. He revealed Himself in a pillar of fire and cloud - something that had never been done before. He turned bitter water sweet, made the sun stand still, routed armies before Israel even assembled for battle. He was with His people and they were led by men who were His voice to the people. When they obeyed God and served and worshiped Him alone the nations around them trembled. They all knew what God did to Pharaoh and all Egypt and to every nation that oppressed the people of Israel so that they feared the God of Israel. But none of this was good enough.
When the prophet/judge Samuel was advanced in years the people came to him and asked for a king to rule over them. Their reasoning was two-fold: 1, Samuel would soon die and his two sons were not like him. They did not serve the people before God honorably. 2, They wanted to be like all the other nations around them who had kings.
Can you believe that? They had the perfect setup. The God of the universe had chosen them to be His people. He fought for them, protected them, provided for them and had a great plan for them as a people, but they wanted to be like everyone else. So even though He revealed Himself to them through incredible signs and wonders they still worshiped other gods - idols of wood and stone and metal. And if the division of their hearts was not enough they chose a mere man to lead them instead of God-of-the-angel-armies.
So God gave them what they wanted. He laid out all that would go wrong with their king but gave them what they wanted.
I sometimes have to do this with my kids. Explain that what they think they want will change their lives in ways they can't understand and won't like but, then, let them have their way.
God does the same with us today. He will not force Himself on you. If He did there would be no "freedom in Christ." His desire is that we would choose Him because of who He is and what He has done, but He does not force Himself on anyone.
Yet, we constantly choose to look like the world around us. We idolize people and worship them. Whether they be athletes, movie stars or simply characters from a favorite book or movie. We want to dress like them, look like them, act like them. And little by little they become our gods.
If you are a believer listen to me. God will let you go off and follow your own pursuits. He will let you become a servant to whatever king you choose. He warns... but allows. However, this is never to your benefit. Whatever is king over you soon ends up taking from you instead of giving. Your best ideas, your youth, your beauty, your strength, your focus and maybe even your life. God, on the other hand, wants to give to you. He wants to give you life. He wants you to have eyes to see your own beauty. He becomes your strength and pours out creativity. He even makes your youth count for something beyond you.
Every other king we may choose to lift up will take from us, but God, our invisible yet clearly perceived King wants to give us everything we ever wanted. Sometimes, what everybody else has isn't what you really want anyway.
Seek FIRST His Kingdom...
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Why Should He?
Day 56: Exodus 6, Psalm 56 and 1 Samuel 7
In Exodus 6 God hears the groaning of the Israelites under the heavy burden of their slave drivers. They aren't really crying out to God, since when God enters the picture through Moses and Aaron they are pressed harder in their work.
I have groaned to God before. I probably shouldn't have though. My problems are infinitesimal to those of others. But it is still comforting to know that God hears me, even when I'm just whining. And He also knows when I am truly in trouble. He is God after all and can tell the difference between my belly-aching and when I really am feeling oppression.
Sometimes though, that oppression comes from God. Not in a punishing kind of way, like it did with the Israelites, but in a corrective way. God is allowing my life to get crazy to help me focus on Him and cut out the garbage.
That's what is happening in 1 Samuel 7. The Israelites have once again sinned and started worshiping other gods and part of that worship was a whole host of sexually immoral acts committed under the guise of "worship." To correct this behavior God allowed the Israelites to be punished, ravaged, oppressed and raided but he Philistines.
So when it gets bad enough they cry out, just like their ancestors in Exodus 6, except this time, they deserved the "correction." So Samuel makes this statement to the people in verse 3, "If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and Ashteroh poles (the places where the sexual immorality would take place) from among you and direct your hearts to God and serve Him alone; He will deliver you."
I think that all too often we think that God should deliver us from our correction before we correct our behavior. We cry out to God for help and say things like, "if you deliver me from then I'll serve you" (go to church more, give more, whatever). But it doesn't work like that for followers of Jesus. He expects us to give up those things that are bringing the correction before He steps in. If He stepped in every time I whined without waiting for me to change my behavior, I would soon realize that a change in what I was doing was not necessary - God's gonna bail me out so why stop?
This is not alway how He works with those who don't already believe. In those cases He is revealing Himself to them through some form of salvation so that they might learn to trust Him with their lives. That happens on the front end, once your relationship with Him is established why would He allow you to continue to sin just so He has to continue to save your back side?
So, the next time you're feeling oppressed consider these questions first - In what areas have I left the Lord? What am I worshiping instead of Him? Is there immorality in my life? How can I focus my heart back on God?
When you discover your sin, confess it and repent of it, He will get involved and deliver you. And just like David in Psalm 56 you can say, "when I am afraid I will put my trust in You...what can mere men do to me?"
In Exodus 6 God hears the groaning of the Israelites under the heavy burden of their slave drivers. They aren't really crying out to God, since when God enters the picture through Moses and Aaron they are pressed harder in their work.
I have groaned to God before. I probably shouldn't have though. My problems are infinitesimal to those of others. But it is still comforting to know that God hears me, even when I'm just whining. And He also knows when I am truly in trouble. He is God after all and can tell the difference between my belly-aching and when I really am feeling oppression.
Sometimes though, that oppression comes from God. Not in a punishing kind of way, like it did with the Israelites, but in a corrective way. God is allowing my life to get crazy to help me focus on Him and cut out the garbage.
That's what is happening in 1 Samuel 7. The Israelites have once again sinned and started worshiping other gods and part of that worship was a whole host of sexually immoral acts committed under the guise of "worship." To correct this behavior God allowed the Israelites to be punished, ravaged, oppressed and raided but he Philistines.
So when it gets bad enough they cry out, just like their ancestors in Exodus 6, except this time, they deserved the "correction." So Samuel makes this statement to the people in verse 3, "If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and Ashteroh poles (the places where the sexual immorality would take place) from among you and direct your hearts to God and serve Him alone; He will deliver you."
I think that all too often we think that God should deliver us from our correction before we correct our behavior. We cry out to God for help and say things like, "if you deliver me from then I'll serve you" (go to church more, give more, whatever). But it doesn't work like that for followers of Jesus. He expects us to give up those things that are bringing the correction before He steps in. If He stepped in every time I whined without waiting for me to change my behavior, I would soon realize that a change in what I was doing was not necessary - God's gonna bail me out so why stop?
This is not alway how He works with those who don't already believe. In those cases He is revealing Himself to them through some form of salvation so that they might learn to trust Him with their lives. That happens on the front end, once your relationship with Him is established why would He allow you to continue to sin just so He has to continue to save your back side?
So, the next time you're feeling oppressed consider these questions first - In what areas have I left the Lord? What am I worshiping instead of Him? Is there immorality in my life? How can I focus my heart back on God?
When you discover your sin, confess it and repent of it, He will get involved and deliver you. And just like David in Psalm 56 you can say, "when I am afraid I will put my trust in You...what can mere men do to me?"
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Have You Settled?
Day 51: Exodus 1, Psalm 51 and 1 Samuel 2
When a new king came to power in Egypt they were fearful of the Israelites who were in the land of Goshen, a bottleneck between the nations of the East and Egypt.
Two different decisions were made in this story, one by the Egyptians and one by the Israelites.
First, the Egyptians made a decision about the Israelites based on nothing but their location. They were afraid that the Israelites would join forces with anyone who came to attack them in an effort to overthrow them. So the Israelites were forced into slave labor because the Egyptians thought they might one day turn against Egypt.
Second, the Israelites really had it made in Goshen. It was a fertile land between the Mediterranean sea to the North and the red sea in the South. It was a perfect place for them to graze their flocks and herds. Once they moved to Goshen to let Joseph care for them they became comfortable in their new digs. They thought they had everything.
How many times have you made a decision based on what you thought might happen? When we do this we take God out of the equation and run our lives by our own smarts.
Have you ever found yourself settling for what you think is perfect instead of what has been promised? You find what you think is the perfect situation and you settle instead of pushing forward to God's promise.
Here's the problem, God was not in the land of Egypt. The Israelites had settled in a perfect land without God.
When we jump to conclusions we take God out of the equation. And when we settle we may have a good place but we don't get God. Either option keeps us from God's best.
When a new king came to power in Egypt they were fearful of the Israelites who were in the land of Goshen, a bottleneck between the nations of the East and Egypt.
Two different decisions were made in this story, one by the Egyptians and one by the Israelites.
First, the Egyptians made a decision about the Israelites based on nothing but their location. They were afraid that the Israelites would join forces with anyone who came to attack them in an effort to overthrow them. So the Israelites were forced into slave labor because the Egyptians thought they might one day turn against Egypt.
Second, the Israelites really had it made in Goshen. It was a fertile land between the Mediterranean sea to the North and the red sea in the South. It was a perfect place for them to graze their flocks and herds. Once they moved to Goshen to let Joseph care for them they became comfortable in their new digs. They thought they had everything.
How many times have you made a decision based on what you thought might happen? When we do this we take God out of the equation and run our lives by our own smarts.
Have you ever found yourself settling for what you think is perfect instead of what has been promised? You find what you think is the perfect situation and you settle instead of pushing forward to God's promise.
Here's the problem, God was not in the land of Egypt. The Israelites had settled in a perfect land without God.
When we jump to conclusions we take God out of the equation. And when we settle we may have a good place but we don't get God. Either option keeps us from God's best.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thankful I Don't Have To Be Perfect
Day 50: Genesis/Psalm 50 and 1 Samuel 1
Don't judge me until you've walked a mile in my shoes. Surely you've heard that said before. At the center of this statement is the idea that it's difficult to criticize someone else's choices/decisions if you haven't been through the same things they have. When reading the Old Testament we should approach it with the same caution - we haven't walked in those shoes, er, sandals, so some of the things we read may seem strange. But it was a different time, it was a different covenant between God and mankind (the word testament means covenant or contract) and so some of the concepts we think are outrageous were simply part of the every day life for the people involved.
It is this difference that I am really happy for. Look with me at the last verse of Psalms 50. It reads, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God."
Here are the reasons I am happy about this:
So while I attempt to make the right choices and "order my ways aright" I realize that I will make mistakes and that makes me thankful for my perfect Savior.
Here's how I try to live now, I offer willing sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise to God who orders my ways aright and has given me salvation in Jesus Christ.
Remember that the life of faith in the New Covenant (Testament) is about persistence not perfection.
Don't judge me until you've walked a mile in my shoes. Surely you've heard that said before. At the center of this statement is the idea that it's difficult to criticize someone else's choices/decisions if you haven't been through the same things they have. When reading the Old Testament we should approach it with the same caution - we haven't walked in those shoes, er, sandals, so some of the things we read may seem strange. But it was a different time, it was a different covenant between God and mankind (the word testament means covenant or contract) and so some of the concepts we think are outrageous were simply part of the every day life for the people involved.
It is this difference that I am really happy for. Look with me at the last verse of Psalms 50. It reads, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God."
Here are the reasons I am happy about this:
- I'm happy I don't have to offer any sacrifices for my sin - my two dogs and one gerbil are happy too! (and they'd be gone in about 10min I'm afraid!)
- I'm happy that I don't have to live a perfect life - but just be found in the perfect Savior.
- I'm happy that the Salvation of God is given to those who believe in Jesus, not those who always make the right decisions.
So while I attempt to make the right choices and "order my ways aright" I realize that I will make mistakes and that makes me thankful for my perfect Savior.
Here's how I try to live now, I offer willing sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise to God who orders my ways aright and has given me salvation in Jesus Christ.
Remember that the life of faith in the New Covenant (Testament) is about persistence not perfection.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Some Old Testament Smack Down
Day 44: Genesis/Psalm 44, Judges 20
So yesterday was a tough one and today, well, it's not much better.
In Genesis 44:16 Judah (the son of Jacob and brother of Joseph) says to Joseph, "God has found out the iniquity (which means premeditated sin) of your servants..." I can only assume that he is referencing the sin of he and his brothers in selling Joseph to into slavery all those years ago.
Then in Judges 20 the punishment for Gibeah's sin is doled out. But it isn't just Gibeah that faces loss. First the whole tribe of Benjamin refuses to hand over the men of Gibeah who committed the sin and instead join them in battle with 26,000 men arrayed for battle. So Israel gathers 400,000 men armed and ready for battle. But it isn't a slaughter. On the first day of battle 22,000 men of Israel fall. On the second day another 18,000 men from Israel fall - yes, they are supposed to be the ones who are winning! On the third day, finally, Israel defeats Benjamin dramatically. With little losses on the third day Israel puts to the sword over 25,000 of the 26,000 men of Benjamin - only something like 600 remain. But that's not all. The people of Gibeah are all killed and the city destroyed along with several other cities of the tribe of Benjamin.
The point of this is that sin is costly. The punishment for sin often extends not only to those who committed the sin but also to those who allowed it. Sin infects and spreads like a cancer. It eats away at you, sometimes slow and sometimes fast.
But here's what I'm thankful for today. I do not have to face the punishment of my sin. Unlike Judah and his brothers and the people of Benjamin God does not hold my sin against me. I am not punished for my sin because Jesus paid that price a long time ago. Jesus died for sin, He took our punishment. The punishment that I deserved (and you) was put on Him. So God punished Jesus instead of me.
As a believer in Jesus Christ I am not longer punished for my sin but I am corrected. There is a big difference. God punished those in the Old Testament for their sin out of His wrath. But since He poured out the full cup of His wrath on Jesus there is now no punishment for sin for those who are in Christ Jesus. We are corrected in love, not punished in wrath.
I am so thankful that:
1. I had parents who loved me enough to bring me up in a Christian home (not perfect, but full of love) and helped me understand the God of love and His Son Jesus Christ.
2. That Jesus was willing to go to the cross to take that punishment so that I could receive grace instead.
Thank you Father for your plan of salvation and that through faith in Jesus' life, death and resurrection I am no longer and object of wrath because of my sin but an object of your grace and love.
So yesterday was a tough one and today, well, it's not much better.
In Genesis 44:16 Judah (the son of Jacob and brother of Joseph) says to Joseph, "God has found out the iniquity (which means premeditated sin) of your servants..." I can only assume that he is referencing the sin of he and his brothers in selling Joseph to into slavery all those years ago.
Then in Judges 20 the punishment for Gibeah's sin is doled out. But it isn't just Gibeah that faces loss. First the whole tribe of Benjamin refuses to hand over the men of Gibeah who committed the sin and instead join them in battle with 26,000 men arrayed for battle. So Israel gathers 400,000 men armed and ready for battle. But it isn't a slaughter. On the first day of battle 22,000 men of Israel fall. On the second day another 18,000 men from Israel fall - yes, they are supposed to be the ones who are winning! On the third day, finally, Israel defeats Benjamin dramatically. With little losses on the third day Israel puts to the sword over 25,000 of the 26,000 men of Benjamin - only something like 600 remain. But that's not all. The people of Gibeah are all killed and the city destroyed along with several other cities of the tribe of Benjamin.
The point of this is that sin is costly. The punishment for sin often extends not only to those who committed the sin but also to those who allowed it. Sin infects and spreads like a cancer. It eats away at you, sometimes slow and sometimes fast.
But here's what I'm thankful for today. I do not have to face the punishment of my sin. Unlike Judah and his brothers and the people of Benjamin God does not hold my sin against me. I am not punished for my sin because Jesus paid that price a long time ago. Jesus died for sin, He took our punishment. The punishment that I deserved (and you) was put on Him. So God punished Jesus instead of me.
As a believer in Jesus Christ I am not longer punished for my sin but I am corrected. There is a big difference. God punished those in the Old Testament for their sin out of His wrath. But since He poured out the full cup of His wrath on Jesus there is now no punishment for sin for those who are in Christ Jesus. We are corrected in love, not punished in wrath.
I am so thankful that:
1. I had parents who loved me enough to bring me up in a Christian home (not perfect, but full of love) and helped me understand the God of love and His Son Jesus Christ.
2. That Jesus was willing to go to the cross to take that punishment so that I could receive grace instead.
Thank you Father for your plan of salvation and that through faith in Jesus' life, death and resurrection I am no longer and object of wrath because of my sin but an object of your grace and love.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
What's The Point: A Must Ask Question
Day 43: Genesis/Psalm 43, Judges 19
Let me admit right off the bat that the subject matter and the situation in today's reading in Judges 19 is very difficult to deal with. It is one of those stories in the Bible that I just really wish would have been left out. The social, sexual, gender and physical injustices are almost too much to bear.
As I read today's chapter I found myself upset with the father-in-law for not allowing his son-in-law to leave when he planned. Then I was frustrated with the son-in-law for not being more direct and leaving when he intended. Because, I assumed the whole ugly mess from this chapter would have simply been avoided.
I was angry that the events of this chapter were perpetrated by people who were supposed to be God's people and should have all been caring for the travelers as the man who invited them into his home. I was disgusted by the fact that no one invited them in because they either knew what going to happen or they were planning it.
It makes us angry to think that the host would offer his very own daughter and the concubine up as offerings to the mob. I have a daughter and can't imagine doing that. I would fight to my last breath to protect her. I'm irritated that the men of the city, Israelite men, wanted to have sexual relations with the men, an act clearly forbidden by Jewish law (which was God's law).
We are outraged that the man would 1) be able to sleep all night peacefully while his concubine was outside having all kinds of unspeakable things done to her, and 2) that the man simple says, "get up" when he finds her dead on the doorstep.
But after all those feelings I had to ask God, "What's the point?" I think it's important to ask this question because honestly, it's easy to get sidetracked with the evidence and not zero-in on the crime.
I think the point is that once again Israel has fallen completely away from God. There is no judge at this time it appears and no king and everybody seems to be doing whatever they want. They have disregarded the law of God and so quickly after God had given them the land He promised. We see in this chapter the sin of not showing hospitality to guests (at least by the city at large). The sin of homosexuality and how distasteful it was to the host that he was willing to sacrifice his daughter to the crowd to keep them from committing this sexually immoral act. There is the sin of rape and murder - which the mob doesn't seem to care about at all.
It is so easy to focus on all of these details that we forget the point. The point is that sin had run rampant. There was no moral compass. There was no restraint. The mob in the city is simply living off their basest instincts. They are driven by desire and lust and this is what happens when those feelings are left unchecked.
This chapter is not about the details but about the hight from which this tribe from Israel had fallen. This chapter is in the Bible to show us what happens when we live for ourselves only and only to fulfill our sexual or physical desires. It stands as a warning to everyone who says, "it's okay." "I'm not hurting anyone else." "If it feels good..." This is what you get when you do whatever you want. Wrong becomes right. Day becomes night. We become a people not just ruled by our lusts but driven by them to a place where our sin is not just tolerated but celebrated.
I'm thankful that I know what happens in chapter 20. But I'm also thankful that, while I don't always succeed as I would like, I try to live my life not based solely off my own desires, feelings or passions but by the commands and precepts of my God who said, "love God and love others." If either of these two commands would have been followed that night in Gibeah this chapter would not have been written.
This chapter is an example of the place that unbridled sin leads us to and chapter 20 will be the conclusion. So when you come across a difficult chapter or text in the Bible ask yourself, "what's the point?" And see if it doesn't give you a fresh perspective.
NOTE: While this chapter references some behaviors that we simply can not understand - namely the way the men treated the women they were supposed to love - remember that this is an entirely different culture. And before you get so upset that you just close your bible and quit reading I want you to realize that this sort of thing happens today, yes today, in other countries around the world. Women were in that culture seen as they are in many Middle Eastern cultures today, as property. A man could do what he wanted with his wife/daughter. Make sure that you focus on the point and not the periphery.
Let me admit right off the bat that the subject matter and the situation in today's reading in Judges 19 is very difficult to deal with. It is one of those stories in the Bible that I just really wish would have been left out. The social, sexual, gender and physical injustices are almost too much to bear.
As I read today's chapter I found myself upset with the father-in-law for not allowing his son-in-law to leave when he planned. Then I was frustrated with the son-in-law for not being more direct and leaving when he intended. Because, I assumed the whole ugly mess from this chapter would have simply been avoided.
I was angry that the events of this chapter were perpetrated by people who were supposed to be God's people and should have all been caring for the travelers as the man who invited them into his home. I was disgusted by the fact that no one invited them in because they either knew what going to happen or they were planning it.
It makes us angry to think that the host would offer his very own daughter and the concubine up as offerings to the mob. I have a daughter and can't imagine doing that. I would fight to my last breath to protect her. I'm irritated that the men of the city, Israelite men, wanted to have sexual relations with the men, an act clearly forbidden by Jewish law (which was God's law).
We are outraged that the man would 1) be able to sleep all night peacefully while his concubine was outside having all kinds of unspeakable things done to her, and 2) that the man simple says, "get up" when he finds her dead on the doorstep.
But after all those feelings I had to ask God, "What's the point?" I think it's important to ask this question because honestly, it's easy to get sidetracked with the evidence and not zero-in on the crime.
I think the point is that once again Israel has fallen completely away from God. There is no judge at this time it appears and no king and everybody seems to be doing whatever they want. They have disregarded the law of God and so quickly after God had given them the land He promised. We see in this chapter the sin of not showing hospitality to guests (at least by the city at large). The sin of homosexuality and how distasteful it was to the host that he was willing to sacrifice his daughter to the crowd to keep them from committing this sexually immoral act. There is the sin of rape and murder - which the mob doesn't seem to care about at all.
It is so easy to focus on all of these details that we forget the point. The point is that sin had run rampant. There was no moral compass. There was no restraint. The mob in the city is simply living off their basest instincts. They are driven by desire and lust and this is what happens when those feelings are left unchecked.
This chapter is not about the details but about the hight from which this tribe from Israel had fallen. This chapter is in the Bible to show us what happens when we live for ourselves only and only to fulfill our sexual or physical desires. It stands as a warning to everyone who says, "it's okay." "I'm not hurting anyone else." "If it feels good..." This is what you get when you do whatever you want. Wrong becomes right. Day becomes night. We become a people not just ruled by our lusts but driven by them to a place where our sin is not just tolerated but celebrated.
I'm thankful that I know what happens in chapter 20. But I'm also thankful that, while I don't always succeed as I would like, I try to live my life not based solely off my own desires, feelings or passions but by the commands and precepts of my God who said, "love God and love others." If either of these two commands would have been followed that night in Gibeah this chapter would not have been written.
This chapter is an example of the place that unbridled sin leads us to and chapter 20 will be the conclusion. So when you come across a difficult chapter or text in the Bible ask yourself, "what's the point?" And see if it doesn't give you a fresh perspective.
NOTE: While this chapter references some behaviors that we simply can not understand - namely the way the men treated the women they were supposed to love - remember that this is an entirely different culture. And before you get so upset that you just close your bible and quit reading I want you to realize that this sort of thing happens today, yes today, in other countries around the world. Women were in that culture seen as they are in many Middle Eastern cultures today, as property. A man could do what he wanted with his wife/daughter. Make sure that you focus on the point and not the periphery.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
God + Nothing
Day 42: Genesis/Psalm 42, Judges 18
I'm going to go back a little bit to Sunday's reading in Judges about Samson and Delilah and mix it up with Judges 18.
When Delilah was begging Samson to tell her the secret of his strength he finally gave in. He told her that he was a Nazarite to God since birth and that the secret to his strength was his hair. In Samson's mind I guess it was God + hair.
In Judges 18 men from the tribe of Dan came to the home of Micah and find a Levite priest there who is acting as his personal priest inquiring of God on Micah's behalf. But in the house there are multiple idol images that Micah and the Levite have incorporated into their worship of God. It's God + the idols.
But God has never shared the stage well. The olympics are going on right now and I just watched USA win it's first ever medal in the Luge. The American will be sharing the stage with two others. God doesn't do silver and bronze. It's Gold and it's all God's.
It is true that Samson did lose his strength when his hair was cut but his strength came from God - not his hair. His hair was the visible sign of his covenant with God but God was the source. And Micah's priest was seeking to worship God through the idols that they had made. But idols are nothing. God is everything.
Mankind has an inherent problem with trying to always do God and... but it has always been God only. We try to get to God by church attendance or giving or service as though salvation comes through God + our effort or good works. We talk about the Christian life at times in terms of God + our hard work. We will say super-spiritual things like, pray as though it all depends on God, work as though it all depends on you. We think God + the perfect spouse (our one true love) will gain us a perfect life. God + a good job will meet our financial needs. God + a healthy dose of will get us what we want. God + our dreams will help us achieve greater things.
But the reality is that it is God + nothing. He doesn't want to share the stage. And the problem with Samson and Micah is the same problem we struggle with we try to edge ourselves or something/someone else on the podium with God and it doesn't work.
If you want a spouse who will love you and cherish you and build you up seek God only.
If you want a career that will fulfill you and meet your needs seek God only.
If you want to have a life of purpose and possibilities seek God only.
If you want to experience real life seek God only.
It's not God + spouse. God + career or God + life. It's just God. If you want to experience all that God has for you in this life and the life to come it's God. Only.
Seek FIRST His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Your life and my life and this life are about one thing, God only. When we figure that out He'll begin to work in our lives like we never dreamed. What do you need to get rid of so it's God only in your life?
I'm going to go back a little bit to Sunday's reading in Judges about Samson and Delilah and mix it up with Judges 18.
When Delilah was begging Samson to tell her the secret of his strength he finally gave in. He told her that he was a Nazarite to God since birth and that the secret to his strength was his hair. In Samson's mind I guess it was God + hair.
In Judges 18 men from the tribe of Dan came to the home of Micah and find a Levite priest there who is acting as his personal priest inquiring of God on Micah's behalf. But in the house there are multiple idol images that Micah and the Levite have incorporated into their worship of God. It's God + the idols.
But God has never shared the stage well. The olympics are going on right now and I just watched USA win it's first ever medal in the Luge. The American will be sharing the stage with two others. God doesn't do silver and bronze. It's Gold and it's all God's.
It is true that Samson did lose his strength when his hair was cut but his strength came from God - not his hair. His hair was the visible sign of his covenant with God but God was the source. And Micah's priest was seeking to worship God through the idols that they had made. But idols are nothing. God is everything.
Mankind has an inherent problem with trying to always do God and... but it has always been God only. We try to get to God by church attendance or giving or service as though salvation comes through God + our effort or good works. We talk about the Christian life at times in terms of God + our hard work. We will say super-spiritual things like, pray as though it all depends on God, work as though it all depends on you. We think God + the perfect spouse (our one true love) will gain us a perfect life. God + a good job will meet our financial needs. God + a healthy dose of will get us what we want. God + our dreams will help us achieve greater things.
But the reality is that it is God + nothing. He doesn't want to share the stage. And the problem with Samson and Micah is the same problem we struggle with we try to edge ourselves or something/someone else on the podium with God and it doesn't work.
If you want a spouse who will love you and cherish you and build you up seek God only.
If you want a career that will fulfill you and meet your needs seek God only.
If you want to have a life of purpose and possibilities seek God only.
If you want to experience real life seek God only.
It's not God + spouse. God + career or God + life. It's just God. If you want to experience all that God has for you in this life and the life to come it's God. Only.
Seek FIRST His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Your life and my life and this life are about one thing, God only. When we figure that out He'll begin to work in our lives like we never dreamed. What do you need to get rid of so it's God only in your life?
Monday, February 10, 2014
When God Makes A Move
Day 41: Genesis/Psalm 41, Judges 17
Joseph has been called by Pharaoh to interpret a couple dreams he had. Pharaoh's magicians couldn't interpret these particular dreams, though it appears they had had come success with dream interpretation previously. But these dreams they can't figure out so Joseph is called in.
Joseph is able to interpret the dreams after making sure Pharaoh knows that it is not Joseph's smarts but God who will reveal the dream to Joseph so he can fill Pharaoh in. This is an incredible story of how God brings Joseph, a no-account Hebrew, into the second highest position in Egypt.
But lets look back at all the moving pieces here.
Joseph has been called by Pharaoh to interpret a couple dreams he had. Pharaoh's magicians couldn't interpret these particular dreams, though it appears they had had come success with dream interpretation previously. But these dreams they can't figure out so Joseph is called in.
Joseph is able to interpret the dreams after making sure Pharaoh knows that it is not Joseph's smarts but God who will reveal the dream to Joseph so he can fill Pharaoh in. This is an incredible story of how God brings Joseph, a no-account Hebrew, into the second highest position in Egypt.
But lets look back at all the moving pieces here.
- Joseph the spoiled child has to have some dreams about his brothers and family bowing down to him knowing that he is the kind of kid who would blabber his dreams to his family instead of keeping them quiet.
- Joseph's brothers, sick of his spoiled attitude, decide to kill him, then leave him for dead in a cistern and finally, when a band of traders comes through at the exact right moment, they sell him and make a few dollars. All the while they are thinking that they are rid of Joseph and surely now his dreams will come to nothing.
- Joseph serves in Potiphar's house and is blessed and put in the highest position until the wife takes a liking to him. But instead of giving in to her and possibly saving his job (for awhile at least) he runs away and is still thrown in prison for something he didn't do.
- While in prison he's put in charge once again and there meets two men who work directly for Pharaoh who just "happen" to be in prison also.
- These two men, the baker and the cup bearer have two different dreams with two completely opposite outcomes - both of which come true. Neither of these men are followers or believers in God but they have dreams about eminent future events that only God could know.
- Later, when Pharaoh has a dream the cup bearer remembers Joseph and he is brought to Pharaoh to interpret the dreams. Pharaoh is not a follower or believer in the God of Joseph but he also has a dream about future events.
- The magicians who would normally be able decipher Pharaoh's dreams (but not by God) although perhaps his dreams didn't come by God previously could not do so this time.
- Joseph is able to interpret this dream and lays it out for Pharaoh.
- The Pharaoh not only believes Joseph but trusts his interpretation so much that he makes puts in command of the entire nation.
Joseph is the only one who knows about God, yet God uses the dreams to three other men, an adulterous wife, jealous brothers, a band of traveling salesmen and a stretch in the joint to bring about His ultimate plan - the salvation of not only Israel (Joseph's family) but all of Egypt and much of the known world (all who came to buy grain from Pharaoh).
Are you in a difficult situation right now? Perhaps you're feeling like your in a pit like Joseph or maybe something just happened to you that you think is unfair or maybe you even found yourself in a cell that you didn't deserve. Your life is not the only life that God has control over. It is not ONLY your circumstances that He can rearrange. Don't think that God is limited by your abilities, your bank account, your know how or your influence.
God is unlimited. He can use anyone at anytime for any reason He chooses. AND, He is already working your situation out in ways you can't possibly imagine. It may be that you have to spend time in the pit in order to get to the promise. You may have to sit in a cell in order to accomplish your call, but He is faithful and you are His child. He will always bring you to the promise.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Sin Zero
Day 38: Genesis/Psalm 38, Judges 14
In a zombie movie that came out not too long ago those trying to solve the puzzle were looking for person-zero, the person who first had the disease.
In the Genesis reading today Judah has one problem after another. In the end, after sleeping with a woman who he believed to be a prostitute, he discovers that he had actually slept and impregnated his daughter-in-law!
As I read through the chapter I wondered where did he go wrong? So I looked back and discovered that sin-zero for Judah was when he chose a Cannanite woman for a wife. This was forbidden from God, Judah, as an Israelite was to marry only another Israelite. That first sin - choosing a foreign woman led toe the birth of sons who displeased God and then to Judah breaking his word to his daughter-in-law and then his sleeping with a "prostitute" and then he wanted to kill his daughter-in-law for getting pregnant, until he learned he was the father of her child and in the end simply says, that this woman who pretended to be a harlot was a better person than he.
Judah's life took a turn for the worse with one sin. Sin-zero. From there he made another and another and before he knew it his life had spun out of control. If you're the type of person that thinks impregnating your daughter-in-law is a definition of "out of control."
In contrast, David, In Psalm 38 is praying to God as he recognizes he has sinned. He talks about how the discipline of God is affecting him deeply and he's crying out to God because he is wasting away because of his sin. Instead of continuing in sin, he recognized it, repented of it, sought restoration through it and wanted to then refrain from it.
Instead of letting his sin lead to another and another he stopped the process and allowed God to deal with it. Judah never allowed God the time to deal with his sin he simply continued in it.
when you are going through a difficult time and feeling like your life is spinning out of control I suppose you've got two options, continue on the same path adding sin to sin assuming you'll find your way out sometime. Or, you can stop. Go back and find sin-zero and follow the pattern of David, recognize where you went wrong and stopped going God's way, repent of that sin in humility before God, seek to be restored to Him and those who've been hurt by your sin and then don't forget the last step, attempt to refrain from that sin that set you off on your own course.
So many believers throughout history have simply blown over their sin, making Jesus' sacrifice for our sin a small thing - easily earned and easily forgotten. But when we recognize our sin for sin and humbly deal with it before God we can change the course of our lives and grow in faith and closeness with God.
Stuck in sin? What's sin-zero for you?
In a zombie movie that came out not too long ago those trying to solve the puzzle were looking for person-zero, the person who first had the disease.
In the Genesis reading today Judah has one problem after another. In the end, after sleeping with a woman who he believed to be a prostitute, he discovers that he had actually slept and impregnated his daughter-in-law!
As I read through the chapter I wondered where did he go wrong? So I looked back and discovered that sin-zero for Judah was when he chose a Cannanite woman for a wife. This was forbidden from God, Judah, as an Israelite was to marry only another Israelite. That first sin - choosing a foreign woman led toe the birth of sons who displeased God and then to Judah breaking his word to his daughter-in-law and then his sleeping with a "prostitute" and then he wanted to kill his daughter-in-law for getting pregnant, until he learned he was the father of her child and in the end simply says, that this woman who pretended to be a harlot was a better person than he.
Judah's life took a turn for the worse with one sin. Sin-zero. From there he made another and another and before he knew it his life had spun out of control. If you're the type of person that thinks impregnating your daughter-in-law is a definition of "out of control."
In contrast, David, In Psalm 38 is praying to God as he recognizes he has sinned. He talks about how the discipline of God is affecting him deeply and he's crying out to God because he is wasting away because of his sin. Instead of continuing in sin, he recognized it, repented of it, sought restoration through it and wanted to then refrain from it.
Instead of letting his sin lead to another and another he stopped the process and allowed God to deal with it. Judah never allowed God the time to deal with his sin he simply continued in it.
when you are going through a difficult time and feeling like your life is spinning out of control I suppose you've got two options, continue on the same path adding sin to sin assuming you'll find your way out sometime. Or, you can stop. Go back and find sin-zero and follow the pattern of David, recognize where you went wrong and stopped going God's way, repent of that sin in humility before God, seek to be restored to Him and those who've been hurt by your sin and then don't forget the last step, attempt to refrain from that sin that set you off on your own course.
So many believers throughout history have simply blown over their sin, making Jesus' sacrifice for our sin a small thing - easily earned and easily forgotten. But when we recognize our sin for sin and humbly deal with it before God we can change the course of our lives and grow in faith and closeness with God.
Stuck in sin? What's sin-zero for you?
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Pits Look Different Depending On Your Perspective
Day 37: Genesis/Psalm 37, Judges 13
When I was a little kid, maybe three or four, my brother put me in a pit that our uncle and father had been digging. I don't recall what it was for but it was big enough for me to fit into and was over my head. Once at the bottom he and others kicked some dirt on me before I was rescued. I've dug a lot of holes since then and am a little taller too, and I've noticed that no pit looks as scary from the top side as it does from the bottom. At the top the sun may be shining and you look down and think, it's not that deep. But from the bottom it's dark, the sun seems a long way off and the walls appear unscalable.
In Genesis 37 we begin to read of the story of Joseph. I like Joseph's story. Perhaps because I was the youngest child in my family and I had an older brother who liked to throw me pits! Although, my older brother and my sisters would say it's because I was the favorite child.
What we hear of Joseph in chapter 37 is just the very beginning of his incredible story but I must say, he doesn't start off too well. He appears to be a spoiled brat. In verse two we find Joseph tattling on his 1/2 brothers. In verse three we learn the reason for his tattling, he was his father's favorite. And he knew it. His father didn't even try to hide it! In fact, he made Joseph a multicolored coat - a difficult and expensive thing at that time.
Joseph was so sure of himself that when he has a dream that clearly depicts him as a ruler over his brothers, he doesn't keep it to himself, ask his father for wisdom or guidance or just tell his friends, he runs right out and tells his brothers! Who immediately hate him more! And when he has a second dream that depicts not only his brothers but his father and mother bowing to him he tells them all! The second half of verse eight tells us that his brothers hated him for his dreams (which they only knew about because Joseph told them) and his words (which he used to convey the dream). All of that to say, Joseph made it easy for his brothers to hate him.
So when they are a long way from home and have the opportunity to get rid of their smug, dreamer of a brother they jump at the chance. And later in the chapter we find Joseph stripped of his precious coat and sitting at the bottom of a dark, deep pit. Instead of killing Joseph or leaving him in the pit to die his brothers make a bit of money off him by selling him to some merchants who just "happened" to be passing by.
And that begins the story of Joseph.
God gave Joseph a dream. And because he chose to share that dream with his brothers he ended up in a pit, the first of two he will find himself in. He was there because verse 20 tells us that his brothers were trying to keep Joseph's dreams from coming true. They thought if they got rid of him by selling him into slavery that his dream of ruling over his brothers would never come true. In reality, their treason actually created the opportunity for his dream to be fulfilled! God used Joseph's favorite child status, his smug tattling and dream telling AND his brother's attempt to be free of him as the means by which He accomplished the result he had revealed to Joseph.
What this means to you and me today is this, when God gives you a dream it already INCLUDES every obstacle, challenge, detour and scheme of Satan. God knew Joseph was a spoiled brat and would smugly tell his brother's the dreams. He knew that the brothers would attempt to leave him for dead and he knew that at that exact moment the caravan would be passing by and the brothers would try to make a buck. And God used all those twists and turns to grow Joseph into the man he eventually became. The pit actually perpetuated the promise - it didn't destroy it!
Isn't that amazing?! God gave Joseph a picture of the end result knowing every event, pit and peril and prison that would lead Joseph exactly where God wanted him to be. The pit and even (as we'll see later) the prison are not detours they were part of God itinerary to get Joseph exactly where God wanted him to be exactly when He wanted him to be there. God had already chartered Joseph's course through the pit to the promise.
Are you in a pit? Is it dark and damp and stinky? Does it look impossible to get out of? Are you forgetting your dream because of the dilemma you're in? God knew you would be exactly where you are right now. He wants you to learn to trust Him. He wants you to learn humility and a servants heart like His Son Jesus. And He wants you to know that He knew you would be in the hole you're in. He knew exactly how deep and wide your pit would be and He already knows how you're going to get out.
Don't lose hope, but seek His help. Let your pit become your platform. Because while you're at the bottom in the dark, He's at the top shinning His light on the rest of your journey. Your perspective may be bleak, but His perspective is beautiful.
When I was a little kid, maybe three or four, my brother put me in a pit that our uncle and father had been digging. I don't recall what it was for but it was big enough for me to fit into and was over my head. Once at the bottom he and others kicked some dirt on me before I was rescued. I've dug a lot of holes since then and am a little taller too, and I've noticed that no pit looks as scary from the top side as it does from the bottom. At the top the sun may be shining and you look down and think, it's not that deep. But from the bottom it's dark, the sun seems a long way off and the walls appear unscalable.
In Genesis 37 we begin to read of the story of Joseph. I like Joseph's story. Perhaps because I was the youngest child in my family and I had an older brother who liked to throw me pits! Although, my older brother and my sisters would say it's because I was the favorite child.
What we hear of Joseph in chapter 37 is just the very beginning of his incredible story but I must say, he doesn't start off too well. He appears to be a spoiled brat. In verse two we find Joseph tattling on his 1/2 brothers. In verse three we learn the reason for his tattling, he was his father's favorite. And he knew it. His father didn't even try to hide it! In fact, he made Joseph a multicolored coat - a difficult and expensive thing at that time.
Joseph was so sure of himself that when he has a dream that clearly depicts him as a ruler over his brothers, he doesn't keep it to himself, ask his father for wisdom or guidance or just tell his friends, he runs right out and tells his brothers! Who immediately hate him more! And when he has a second dream that depicts not only his brothers but his father and mother bowing to him he tells them all! The second half of verse eight tells us that his brothers hated him for his dreams (which they only knew about because Joseph told them) and his words (which he used to convey the dream). All of that to say, Joseph made it easy for his brothers to hate him.
So when they are a long way from home and have the opportunity to get rid of their smug, dreamer of a brother they jump at the chance. And later in the chapter we find Joseph stripped of his precious coat and sitting at the bottom of a dark, deep pit. Instead of killing Joseph or leaving him in the pit to die his brothers make a bit of money off him by selling him to some merchants who just "happened" to be passing by.
And that begins the story of Joseph.
God gave Joseph a dream. And because he chose to share that dream with his brothers he ended up in a pit, the first of two he will find himself in. He was there because verse 20 tells us that his brothers were trying to keep Joseph's dreams from coming true. They thought if they got rid of him by selling him into slavery that his dream of ruling over his brothers would never come true. In reality, their treason actually created the opportunity for his dream to be fulfilled! God used Joseph's favorite child status, his smug tattling and dream telling AND his brother's attempt to be free of him as the means by which He accomplished the result he had revealed to Joseph.
What this means to you and me today is this, when God gives you a dream it already INCLUDES every obstacle, challenge, detour and scheme of Satan. God knew Joseph was a spoiled brat and would smugly tell his brother's the dreams. He knew that the brothers would attempt to leave him for dead and he knew that at that exact moment the caravan would be passing by and the brothers would try to make a buck. And God used all those twists and turns to grow Joseph into the man he eventually became. The pit actually perpetuated the promise - it didn't destroy it!
Isn't that amazing?! God gave Joseph a picture of the end result knowing every event, pit and peril and prison that would lead Joseph exactly where God wanted him to be. The pit and even (as we'll see later) the prison are not detours they were part of God itinerary to get Joseph exactly where God wanted him to be exactly when He wanted him to be there. God had already chartered Joseph's course through the pit to the promise.
Are you in a pit? Is it dark and damp and stinky? Does it look impossible to get out of? Are you forgetting your dream because of the dilemma you're in? God knew you would be exactly where you are right now. He wants you to learn to trust Him. He wants you to learn humility and a servants heart like His Son Jesus. And He wants you to know that He knew you would be in the hole you're in. He knew exactly how deep and wide your pit would be and He already knows how you're going to get out.
Don't lose hope, but seek His help. Let your pit become your platform. Because while you're at the bottom in the dark, He's at the top shinning His light on the rest of your journey. Your perspective may be bleak, but His perspective is beautiful.
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