Month: July 2013

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 41:25-57; 45:4-8 (Day four)
God was about to do something in Egypt.  Twice He told Pharaoh what his plan was, but Pharaoh could not hear God’s voice.  Without a relationship with Him, Pharaoh’s hearing was ineffective.  God often makes His message plain for all to see, but only those in relationship with Him have the ability to understand.  Joseph had trusted in the Lord through many hardships.  His relationship with the Lord had stood the test of time.  The message was certain…when God speaks, He always is true to His word.  Twice He had given Pharaoh the same message.  It was for this purpose that God had sent Joseph to Egypt many years before.  Joseph would not only organize the preservation of Egypt, but he would also provide for his own people.  It was the fulfillment of the prophetic dream given to Joseph as a young boy.  It was God’s call in his life.  God has a plan for your life…can you hear it?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 41:25-57, 45:4-8 (day three)
When a stranger holds the door open so you can exit the store with arms full of groceries, you might say, “You’re a God-send!” When your tax return is just enough to cover the unexpected car repairs you might tell your friend, “it was a God-send!” What is this instinct in us that attributes unexpectedly good happenings as sent from God? Some will call it good fortune. Others will refer to providence. It takes no real act of faith to recognize and celebrate these fortuitous moments. The real act of faith is to look on the darkest and most painful moments of life and declare, “that was a God-send.” The eyes trained by faith will see God’s sovereign hand “preserving life” not just in the moments of “good fortune” but also in the moments of “sheer, bad luck.” Joseph said, “God sent me” through the trouble “to preserve life” (45:5). Joseph’s heart of faith was revealed by what his eyes perceived through his trouble. What do your eyes perceive through your trouble? Does what you perceive reveal a heart of faith?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 41:25-57, 45:4-8 (day two)
“It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” Was everything that unfolded between Joseph and his brothers merely a divine drama, a providential play? If “all the men and women [are] merely players”, where’s the realness of life? Lest we think that Joseph’s life with his brothers functioned as a cosmic end justifying cosmic means, we would do well to consider this: The Joseph story isn’t a nation rescue protocol with a plotline attached to give it pizzazz. No. It’s all real, not a front for a hidden agenda. The cruelty of the brothers wasn’t some strange way of doing God’s will. Cruelty is cruelty, and evil is evil. But God is stronger. Even in impossible circumstances. The story doesn’t get told in order to make the point. The story is the point.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 41:25-57, 45:4-8 (day one)
“Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.”  (v 39)  “So heavenly-minded that they are of no earthly good” is an accusation frequently hurled at believers.  It isn’t true.  Not always.  Joseph is an example of a man who has both spiritual insight and practical wisdom.  Able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.  Able also to recommend positive steps to prepare for the coming famine.  Practical.  Bottom-line-wise.  Notice Pharaoh’s words.  “No one is as discerning (able to see the truth) or wise (knows what to do with the truth that is seen)”.  As followers of Christ, we are to see invisible things with spiritual eyes.  We are also to be very practical as we deal with material realities.  Budgets, health care, leadership strategies, timely communication. . .none of these are contrary to a spiritual life.  “Select from among you, brethren, seven men. . .full of the Spirit AND wisdom.”  (Acts 6:3)

Re: Verse reading–Ruth 1:1-19 (day seven)
“Go back each of you. . .Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. . .and bear sons.” (v 8, 12)  At one level it seems unselfish of Naomi.  She doesn’t want to be a burden to her daughters-in-law.  At another level, it is very unwise of her to speak to them this way.  “Go back”?  What was she thinking?  She was thinking of herself and her own limited capacities!  Note her focus.  I am too old to have a husband.  I cannot give you sons to marry.  Maybe you recognize the trap of the enemy.  Whenever we focus on ourselves and our own resources the path of faith appears impossible.  Only as the God of glory and mercy and infinite creativity comes into view are we led to follow forward with our eyes on Him.  “With God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26)  Shall we go back?  No!  Forward!

Re: Verse reading-Ruth 1:1-19 (day six)
“The hand of the Lord has turned against me.” (v 14)  We are all  prone to it.  I don’t know why.  Rather than look at our own choices and attitudes, we tend to blame God for the outcomes of our lives.  Naomi is a believer.  Her early faith influenced  Ruth.  But the death of her husband and then her sons has changed her, caused her to believe that God has turned against her,  become her adversary.  Strange logic.  It was not God who sent the Elimelech family to Moab.  It is not God who sponsored death into the world.  Thankfully, Naomi will soon return to her original faith.  At the end of the story, a grandson is born to Naomi and hope is reborn.  It will be a Job-like moment for Naomi.  “I have declared that which I did not understand. . .I retract, and repent.” (Job 42:3,6)  May it be so for all who blame God.

Re: Verse reading–Ruth 1:1-19 (day five)
“The Lord grant that you may find SECURITY, each of you in the house of your husband.” (v 8)  Naomi is not thinking clearly.  She frames her ideas in religious language (“The Lord grant you. . .”) but her advice is not wise when she counsels Orpah and Ruth to seek security in Moab.  The Hebrew word  means “resting place, a place unruled by anxiety”.  Naomi makes a common mistake.  We all are tempted to think that security can be found in circumstances.  In marriage.  In a better job.  Perhaps Naomi is worried by the discrimination these women will likely face in Israel.  Perhaps she is so disappointed by her own faith-journey that she no longer remembers the true truth.  THERE IS NO SECURITY EXCEPT IN GOD.   I am grateful today for the gospel. “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Romans 5:1)  “Come unto Me,  I will give you rest” says the Lord.  (Matthew 11:28)

Re: Verse reading–Ruth 1:1-19a (day four)
Today is Independence Day.  To live in freedom is a great blessing.  Freedom is the opposite of oppression or enslavement.  There are many things that can oppress us in life…Naomi and Ruth were oppressed by their circumstances.  The culture of the day dictated how they could survive financially after the death of their husbands.  God provided for their needs and brought freedom.  To follow the blessing to the final result, Ruth and Boaz had a son who carried on the lineage leading to the birth of King David and ultimately the Savior.  What is it that has you enslaved?  Is it sin?  Is it a difficult relationship?  Is it a financial need?  Is it the circumstances of your life or the culture surrounding you?  There is freedom in Christ.  Just as Ruth placed her life in the hands of Boaz, we can place our lives in the hands of Christ.  The freedom He brings is true freedom.

Re: Verse reading–Ruth 1-4 (day three)
“And they named him Obed.  He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”  If you reckon that a matter will end the way it began, you will be far more than disappointed; you will be correct.  You will stop working for what could be if you’ve already resigned yourself to the way things are.  When you begin to understand that the universe doesn’t run on a clock but instead on a mind, you will seek to think God’s thoughts after him.  It is arrogance that says things can only proceed the way they first appear.  It is hope that says with God, all things are possible.

Re: Verse reading–Ruth 1:1-19a (day two)
There are many unique characters in the Bible. Murderers turned into leaders. Prostitutes turned into followers. The portrait of many Bible characters is not very flattering, and you’ll find children’s Bibles selectively retelling their stories. Occasionally, you come across people whom you’d actually like for your children to imitate. Ruth and Boaz are two of them. Ruth is unflinchingly dedicated and ready to trust God. She works hard and respects authority. She is articulate and brave in the presence of foreigners and earns a good reputation. Who wouldn’t want their daughter to be like her? Boaz is a good manager and a generous man. He shows kindness to the needy and respect for his ancestors. He refuses to circumvent the law and is willing to redeem even a foreign woman in need of his care. Most contrary to American norms, he is attracted to Ruth because she is a “woman of noble character” (3:11). Who wouldn’t want their son to be like him?