Matthew 15:18 ~ But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.
What happens when a home gets a hidden water leak? A lot of damage can be done before the leak is found and fixed. The first clue it is there is the house might smell funny, maybe a little moldy. Does my life or heart smell moldy or a little 'off' to others? to God? to me? Are my words hurtful or edifying?
The wall or floor may have more give. Am I giving in or yielding to pressure from sin? or from the world? or the flesh? Am I staying firm when sin in any form pushes against me? Or is there a softness? Am I finding it harder to guard my tongue?
Stains will show up on the wall or floor or ceiling where the leak is. What am I stained with? The blood of Jesus or my own sin; disobedience to God? Have I said things I wish hadn't come out of my mouth? Have I caused another pain by thoughtless speech?
Usually to fix a leak some of the structure must be torn apart and sometimes it takes some tearing, (looking and searching) to find exactly where the leak is. There may be a period of what appears to be chaos and disuse, but repair is happening. Without this time of repair and apparent chaos and no water, the wall or floor would rot, eventually becoming so bad that area of the house would collapse. Rottenness spreads. It would not be safe for anyone to walk on the floor. If it were a ceiling it could drop down on anyone or anything under it. The home would be unsafe; rotten.
When there is a leak, a stain of sin, in my life, I struggle to let Jesus tear something apart to fix it. I want Him to fix it without the tearing apart. But the pulling up and tearing apart shows me why the leak started as well as how much damage sin does to myself and that it affects others. Jesus wants freedom for each of us and to have that we must give Him the freedom to work in us. To cleanse us of all the sin leaks we have, to clear out all the rotten wood in the walls, that we would be cleansed of all unrighteousness and be made new. So we would not harm others and would be the finished, usuable building He desires each of us to be.
So Lord, when we see only chaos and disuse in our life, show us Your hand, that we would have Your assurance that it is indeed You working in us for Your glory and pleasure. With that, may we surrender to Your hand, allowing You to work freely with Your cleansing power as you rebuild what has been damaged.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Need for One Another
This last week my husband and I went camping. We spent one morning walking along a mountain stream, the sun was shining and we were just enjoying looking at the beauty of the place and wildlife. Suddenly my husband called to me to stop. I stopped, wondering what he saw that I could not, straining my eyes to see something close by. He asked me if I felt something on my leg, I said I did. Was a snake right at my foot? I looked down. I was totally entangled in fishing line. Not just a little- a lot. I had not felt it, it had not hindered my walking- yet. But my husband walking behind me had seen light reflecting in a line and moving behind me. He knew that was not normal. When he asked if I had felt something, he had simply tugged on the line. I did manage to untangle myself, but if I had needed to have it cut free, my husband had a knife handy.
What if I had been walking alone, or had not listened to the stop from my husband? The fishing line would have done a great job of tripping me. In our spiritual lives we also get entangled with invisible lines; something others can see and we cannot. Without their help we trip, fall down, and have a mess to deal with. We are in the body of Christ so we can help one another; that includes alerting one another to danger, or maybe just to an entanglement. It takes humility to recognize the need for help, and it is indeed humbling to see ones self entangled and not be aware!
What if I had not trusted my husband when he told me to stop? Thinking, I know better, I don't need to stop for anything! I would have eventually been forced to stop, doubly humbled because I didn't listen.
His tugging on the line is not what had entangled me, it just showed both of us I was entangled. How often do we get upset with the one who shows us our entanglements instead of being thankful and doing what is necessary to be freed from them?
It was a beautiful sunny day, nothing to worry about, things were going great. In our walk with Jesus, even when things are going great it is possible to just be walking along and get tangled up in the distractions of the world, or the desires of the flesh. Nothing bad or evil in themselves, just enough to keep us from running if the need were to arise.
Lord, we need those in our lives that give us cautions, corrections and help us when we are entangled to get un-entangled, yet so often we push them away, we keep our distance, not wanting to admit our need for help. Especially from others. You have given us Your body Lord, so we could work together for each other's good. Help us to receive from our brothers and sisters the help we need. As we are also called to give loving thoughtful correction and caution, may we do it with Your Spirit of humility, love and grace. May we be truly thankful for one another.
Psm. 141:5a ~ Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head; do not let my head refuse it.
What if I had been walking alone, or had not listened to the stop from my husband? The fishing line would have done a great job of tripping me. In our spiritual lives we also get entangled with invisible lines; something others can see and we cannot. Without their help we trip, fall down, and have a mess to deal with. We are in the body of Christ so we can help one another; that includes alerting one another to danger, or maybe just to an entanglement. It takes humility to recognize the need for help, and it is indeed humbling to see ones self entangled and not be aware!
What if I had not trusted my husband when he told me to stop? Thinking, I know better, I don't need to stop for anything! I would have eventually been forced to stop, doubly humbled because I didn't listen.
His tugging on the line is not what had entangled me, it just showed both of us I was entangled. How often do we get upset with the one who shows us our entanglements instead of being thankful and doing what is necessary to be freed from them?
It was a beautiful sunny day, nothing to worry about, things were going great. In our walk with Jesus, even when things are going great it is possible to just be walking along and get tangled up in the distractions of the world, or the desires of the flesh. Nothing bad or evil in themselves, just enough to keep us from running if the need were to arise.
Lord, we need those in our lives that give us cautions, corrections and help us when we are entangled to get un-entangled, yet so often we push them away, we keep our distance, not wanting to admit our need for help. Especially from others. You have given us Your body Lord, so we could work together for each other's good. Help us to receive from our brothers and sisters the help we need. As we are also called to give loving thoughtful correction and caution, may we do it with Your Spirit of humility, love and grace. May we be truly thankful for one another.
Psm. 141:5a ~ Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon the head; do not let my head refuse it.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Faith of Jacob
Gen. 46:1-4~ So Israel set out with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am." 3 And He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. 4 I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes."
Here is Jacob headed to Egypt; after 22 years of grief, he has decided to be alive, to live again, in Gen. 45:27 it says his spirit revived. And on the way to Egypt he stops in Beer-sheba and offers sacrifices to God. It seems his grief for Joseph had clouded his view of God and interrupted his fellowship with God. What is it in your life that has interrupted fellowship with God? Distorted or clouded your view of God? Death of a loved one, as with Jacob, could do it. But so can death of a dream or marriage. Deception by those you have loved or trusted. Disillusionment with the body of Christ? Especially for children who have grown up in christian homes that are ravaged by divorce- don't let the havoc that has come into your family claim you. Let nothing take away the fellowship you have with God! Keep a clear view of who God is- the lover of your soul, the Redeemer, faithful and true.
Jacob may have wondered when he would return to his land. Whatever the reason for stopping here to make a sacrifice, after the sacrifice was made God spoke with him, gave him direction, a promise for the future, assurance of His presence, assurance of return, and assurance that he would see Joseph. These promises only came after Jacob started on his way and after he offered sacrifices.
Often, we want all the promises and assurances from God before we ever go, before we begin, but that does not take faith. God speaks after we begin, after we sacrifice.
Jacob also help nothing back, he set out with all that he had. This direction was wholehearted, there was no plan B, or fall back, if this did not turn out as expected. Again, full commitment to the direction God had given. We, as human beings, cannot take care of all the contingencies that may come up, we can only move forward as best as we can see and trust that God is with us, leading and guiding each step of the way.
Lord, as we step out from the place of unbelief into belief, may we go wholeheartedly, holding nothing back, unconcerned about a Plan B, knowing that You have a perfect plan, even if it leads away from what we may see as security and hope. As You ask us, along the way, to sacrifice, our dreams, hopes, and yes, our self, may we see the incredible peace that comes from You, the assurance that You are leading and guiding us each step of the way, and may any fears we have be removed.
If you have been in a foggy world of despair or doubting God's goodness, as Jacob was, may you see God's presence, His faithfulness, His leading and guiding, and may you no longer fear to be wholehearted in following Him, or in sacrificing self. May you once again find sweet fellowship with Him.And may God give you the assurance that is so needed in your life this day.
Here is Jacob headed to Egypt; after 22 years of grief, he has decided to be alive, to live again, in Gen. 45:27 it says his spirit revived. And on the way to Egypt he stops in Beer-sheba and offers sacrifices to God. It seems his grief for Joseph had clouded his view of God and interrupted his fellowship with God. What is it in your life that has interrupted fellowship with God? Distorted or clouded your view of God? Death of a loved one, as with Jacob, could do it. But so can death of a dream or marriage. Deception by those you have loved or trusted. Disillusionment with the body of Christ? Especially for children who have grown up in christian homes that are ravaged by divorce- don't let the havoc that has come into your family claim you. Let nothing take away the fellowship you have with God! Keep a clear view of who God is- the lover of your soul, the Redeemer, faithful and true.
Jacob may have wondered when he would return to his land. Whatever the reason for stopping here to make a sacrifice, after the sacrifice was made God spoke with him, gave him direction, a promise for the future, assurance of His presence, assurance of return, and assurance that he would see Joseph. These promises only came after Jacob started on his way and after he offered sacrifices.
Often, we want all the promises and assurances from God before we ever go, before we begin, but that does not take faith. God speaks after we begin, after we sacrifice.
Jacob also help nothing back, he set out with all that he had. This direction was wholehearted, there was no plan B, or fall back, if this did not turn out as expected. Again, full commitment to the direction God had given. We, as human beings, cannot take care of all the contingencies that may come up, we can only move forward as best as we can see and trust that God is with us, leading and guiding each step of the way.
Lord, as we step out from the place of unbelief into belief, may we go wholeheartedly, holding nothing back, unconcerned about a Plan B, knowing that You have a perfect plan, even if it leads away from what we may see as security and hope. As You ask us, along the way, to sacrifice, our dreams, hopes, and yes, our self, may we see the incredible peace that comes from You, the assurance that You are leading and guiding us each step of the way, and may any fears we have be removed.
If you have been in a foggy world of despair or doubting God's goodness, as Jacob was, may you see God's presence, His faithfulness, His leading and guiding, and may you no longer fear to be wholehearted in following Him, or in sacrificing self. May you once again find sweet fellowship with Him.And may God give you the assurance that is so needed in your life this day.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Test of Sudden Success
Gen 41:14~ "The Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon,...and he came to Pharaoh." In less than a day Joseph went from prisoner to second to Pharaoh. Few of us are tested with sudden success- most of us are tested the opposite way- from much to nothing, or at least lots less! Joseph handled this exceptionally well, so there is much to learn.
He remained humble, he spoke and responded with humility to Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret the dreams, he said "I hear you are a man who can interpret a dream when you hear it." What a set up for pride! Yet Joseph did not get cocky or try to prove he was above others. He responded with humility and giving God credit."It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
How easy it is to think that there is something in us that brings sudden success, and forget that it is God who works all things together. Joseph also didn't play the victim here, with a "Finally someone remembered me! Pharaoh, hear my case then I will interpret the dreams for you." He remained a humble servant.
As Joseph gave credit to God for the dreams, he honored Pharaoh as receiver of the dreams. Not once did he take honor for the dreams, or the interpretation of them. The honor went to those to whom it was due.
Joseph did not mince words with Pharaoh, he gave an honest interpretation. Joseph did not soften God's message. He made it clear that this famine would be severe.
Then Joseph went beyond the interpretation. He could have stopped, the interpretation was done, but he kept talking. He presented a plan to Pharaoh for the protection of Egypt during the famine. And Pharaoh decided God's Spirit was in Joseph so he was appointed 2nd to Pharaoh in all the land.
Fine clothes, jewelry, power, praise of people. All the trappings of success. And Joseph still saw himself as God's servant. The lessons he had learned as a slave, and in prison had stuck. Who Joseph was had not changed, just who he reported to.
This freedom from prison did not give Joseph freedom to go home, to see his family. He was free to serve Pharaoh. Joseph's expectation of what he might do in freedom may have been different than reality. Often, when we look for success the reality is different than our thought or dreams of what it might look like. For Joseph, his responsibility rose significantly, but he remained a servant in a foreign land and God made him fruitful. "...'For, he (Joseph) said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'." Gen.41:52
He understood even his freedom or success was about doing God's bidding, it wasn't about him. And God was able to use him to save his whole family.
Lord, so often we think if You haven't answered a prayer they way we expect, You haven't answered completely, so we miss Your blessing of fruitfulness. Your answer that would lead us differently than we had hoped, yet more fully. Father, when You bless us with sudden success, please keep us humble, honest, and honoring of others. Remind us, that it is still You we serve, and honoring You is most important. Give us eyes to see ourselves as useless without You, and as Your servant. Help us realize that Your plan God, is so much bigger than just us.
He remained humble, he spoke and responded with humility to Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret the dreams, he said "I hear you are a man who can interpret a dream when you hear it." What a set up for pride! Yet Joseph did not get cocky or try to prove he was above others. He responded with humility and giving God credit."It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
How easy it is to think that there is something in us that brings sudden success, and forget that it is God who works all things together. Joseph also didn't play the victim here, with a "Finally someone remembered me! Pharaoh, hear my case then I will interpret the dreams for you." He remained a humble servant.
As Joseph gave credit to God for the dreams, he honored Pharaoh as receiver of the dreams. Not once did he take honor for the dreams, or the interpretation of them. The honor went to those to whom it was due.
Joseph did not mince words with Pharaoh, he gave an honest interpretation. Joseph did not soften God's message. He made it clear that this famine would be severe.
Then Joseph went beyond the interpretation. He could have stopped, the interpretation was done, but he kept talking. He presented a plan to Pharaoh for the protection of Egypt during the famine. And Pharaoh decided God's Spirit was in Joseph so he was appointed 2nd to Pharaoh in all the land.
Fine clothes, jewelry, power, praise of people. All the trappings of success. And Joseph still saw himself as God's servant. The lessons he had learned as a slave, and in prison had stuck. Who Joseph was had not changed, just who he reported to.
This freedom from prison did not give Joseph freedom to go home, to see his family. He was free to serve Pharaoh. Joseph's expectation of what he might do in freedom may have been different than reality. Often, when we look for success the reality is different than our thought or dreams of what it might look like. For Joseph, his responsibility rose significantly, but he remained a servant in a foreign land and God made him fruitful. "...'For, he (Joseph) said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'." Gen.41:52
He understood even his freedom or success was about doing God's bidding, it wasn't about him. And God was able to use him to save his whole family.
Lord, so often we think if You haven't answered a prayer they way we expect, You haven't answered completely, so we miss Your blessing of fruitfulness. Your answer that would lead us differently than we had hoped, yet more fully. Father, when You bless us with sudden success, please keep us humble, honest, and honoring of others. Remind us, that it is still You we serve, and honoring You is most important. Give us eyes to see ourselves as useless without You, and as Your servant. Help us realize that Your plan God, is so much bigger than just us.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Living Out Forgiveness
Have you ever been so hurt, so wounded, that the very thought of forgiving brought such anger you wondered where it came from? There are so many who say,"You don't know my pain." or "This hurt is so deep, I can't ever forgive." Yet forgiveness is commanded. We do not often see others forgive those who have hurt them, it is not modeled for us to copy. How do we learn to forgive? Often, we cannot forgive, and that is a good place to start- confession of our own inability to forgive. Then asking God to give us the ability to forgive. And then, finding a practical picture of forgiveness we can walk. This is found in Gen.45:4-14. Joseph had just revealed himself to his brothers, and they were dismayed.They were not asking for reconciliation. Not a joyous family reunion. How did Joseph respond?
In v.4 Joseph says, "Please come closer to me." Joseph closes the gap, both physically and emotionally. No past grudge is shown. No thought of 'they hurt me, so they should repent first.' or even expecting them to make the first move. Joseph initiates reconciliation. The one hurt- not the ones who inflicted the hurt.
Verse 5 "...do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." Joseph encouraged his brothers to forget about the past, not by sweeping it under the rug as if it had never happened; but by seeing it through God's eyes. God had a plan for this, Joseph saw his life,years of slavery and separation from family as part of God's wonderful plan. He urged his brothers to see it that way as well. In having this attitude, Joseph was not holding his brothers guilty. He did not hang onto a desire to see them pay for what pain they had caused. He gave up his right to treat them as he had been treated. All he wanted was the joy of reconciliation. When others hurt us- do we release them of the burden of responsibility? Joseph repeated this 3 times in v.5,7,& 8, assuring them that this was God's plan all along. Absolving them of guilt, making sure they heard God's involvement in it all.
Then in v.9 &10 Joseph welcomes them.'Come down to me, and do not delay'. Come, live here, all of you!
I will give you the best of the land, you shall live near me. What a welcome! A picture of complete forgiveness. And Joseph doesn't stop there. In v.11 he says "There I will also provide for you,".
Joseph was looking out for the welfare of those who had given him the most pain. He was ministering to them and seeing ahead to their future needs. True forgiveness looks out for the welfare of those who have hurt us, ministering to needs they may not even know they have. Meeting practical needs in their lives as well.
What a beautiful picture of how God wants us to walk in reconciliation- reaching out beyond the 'I forgive you' that we learn when we are young to the "I welcome you and I will take care of you". A foreshadowing of the work Jesus has done- yes He has forgiven us, at great cost, but He also welcomes us to Himself and takes care of us.
O Lord, today may I walk in that forgiveness, receiving from you and giving to others that which is beyond my own ability and comes fully from You, ministering to the hearts of others.
In v.4 Joseph says, "Please come closer to me." Joseph closes the gap, both physically and emotionally. No past grudge is shown. No thought of 'they hurt me, so they should repent first.' or even expecting them to make the first move. Joseph initiates reconciliation. The one hurt- not the ones who inflicted the hurt.
Verse 5 "...do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." Joseph encouraged his brothers to forget about the past, not by sweeping it under the rug as if it had never happened; but by seeing it through God's eyes. God had a plan for this, Joseph saw his life,years of slavery and separation from family as part of God's wonderful plan. He urged his brothers to see it that way as well. In having this attitude, Joseph was not holding his brothers guilty. He did not hang onto a desire to see them pay for what pain they had caused. He gave up his right to treat them as he had been treated. All he wanted was the joy of reconciliation. When others hurt us- do we release them of the burden of responsibility? Joseph repeated this 3 times in v.5,7,& 8, assuring them that this was God's plan all along. Absolving them of guilt, making sure they heard God's involvement in it all.
Then in v.9 &10 Joseph welcomes them.'Come down to me, and do not delay'. Come, live here, all of you!
I will give you the best of the land, you shall live near me. What a welcome! A picture of complete forgiveness. And Joseph doesn't stop there. In v.11 he says "There I will also provide for you,".
Joseph was looking out for the welfare of those who had given him the most pain. He was ministering to them and seeing ahead to their future needs. True forgiveness looks out for the welfare of those who have hurt us, ministering to needs they may not even know they have. Meeting practical needs in their lives as well.
What a beautiful picture of how God wants us to walk in reconciliation- reaching out beyond the 'I forgive you' that we learn when we are young to the "I welcome you and I will take care of you". A foreshadowing of the work Jesus has done- yes He has forgiven us, at great cost, but He also welcomes us to Himself and takes care of us.
O Lord, today may I walk in that forgiveness, receiving from you and giving to others that which is beyond my own ability and comes fully from You, ministering to the hearts of others.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
God's Incredible Wondrous Love
Do you know how much God loves you? Do you understand His father's heart- for you?
He is always with us-Matt.28:20, and Heb.13:5. He calls us His friends, as we obey Him-Jn.15:14.
But often, in the midst of a really hard time, we think He doesn't love us. That He just doesn't care.
Look at His love:
- He loved Jacob enough to give him Joseph- and take him away 17 years later so all the family would be saved.
- He loved Joseph enough to train him as a servant, so he would learn wisdom and humility in serving so a nation would be saved.
- He loved Esther enough to allow her to be chosen by a wicked king as his wife, so her people would be saved.
- He loved the 3 Hebrew young men enough to let them be thrown into a fiery furnace... and bring them out again. And their clothes weren't even singed! So His Name would be exalted!
- He loved us enough to send Jesus, His own Son, to be rejected and beaten and killed by men, so that these men and all mankind could be saved, delivered from their/our own hidden evil and made new.
- He loved Saul enough to blind him for 3 days so he would understand who Jesus was/is.
Whatever you are going through right now- confusion, illness, family relationship difficulties, impossible situations, deep grief, financial tsunami, know God loves you.
He loves you enough to see you through it.
He loves you enough to strengthen you in and through it.
He loves you enough to use you in it.
He loves you enough to use it to prepare you to be used by Him for a greater purpose.
We may never understand why we must go through certain circumstances or trials. But we can always know God loves us and is with us. And when the weakness of our very frame causes us to doubt and falter- may we know God is still holding us and loving us.
May you be strengthened by His love, in His love and with His love.
"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you. And my covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the Lord who has compassion on you." Is.54:10
He is always with us-Matt.28:20, and Heb.13:5. He calls us His friends, as we obey Him-Jn.15:14.
But often, in the midst of a really hard time, we think He doesn't love us. That He just doesn't care.
Look at His love:
- He loved Jacob enough to give him Joseph- and take him away 17 years later so all the family would be saved.
- He loved Joseph enough to train him as a servant, so he would learn wisdom and humility in serving so a nation would be saved.
- He loved Esther enough to allow her to be chosen by a wicked king as his wife, so her people would be saved.
- He loved the 3 Hebrew young men enough to let them be thrown into a fiery furnace... and bring them out again. And their clothes weren't even singed! So His Name would be exalted!
- He loved us enough to send Jesus, His own Son, to be rejected and beaten and killed by men, so that these men and all mankind could be saved, delivered from their/our own hidden evil and made new.
- He loved Saul enough to blind him for 3 days so he would understand who Jesus was/is.
Whatever you are going through right now- confusion, illness, family relationship difficulties, impossible situations, deep grief, financial tsunami, know God loves you.
He loves you enough to see you through it.
He loves you enough to strengthen you in and through it.
He loves you enough to use you in it.
He loves you enough to use it to prepare you to be used by Him for a greater purpose.
We may never understand why we must go through certain circumstances or trials. But we can always know God loves us and is with us. And when the weakness of our very frame causes us to doubt and falter- may we know God is still holding us and loving us.
May you be strengthened by His love, in His love and with His love.
"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you. And my covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the Lord who has compassion on you." Is.54:10
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Forgotten
Gen. 40:23 ~ "Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."
For two full years Joseph was forgotten, left in prison. I wonder, Lord, did he feel forgotten by You? I assume he continued to be faithful in his work in prison- but did he wonder if there was a purpose to what he did? Did his dreams mock him? How intensely did he have to deal with the attacks from satan, or any enemy? Two full years.
Undocumented in this passage of Scripture is forgiveness. Joseph had to have forgiven, and walked in that forgiveness to the cupbearer. If he had not it would have come out in his words and actions somehow. What is our attitude towards those who have forgotten us? Do we become bitter or angry? Do we deem them untrustworthy? Do we still walk in integrity in our dealings with them? It seemed as if Joseph had no ill feelings toward this cupbearer, even when forgotten. He was not bound by another's failings. Do I forgive those who I feel have forgotten me? Not just with words, but in my heart?
How do I respond when I feel I have been forgotten? Am I in grief or despair? Do I stop having a spirit of praise? Do I become vengeful? Am I full of self-pity? Or do I trust that He is still God and is working His purpose out. It is hard when we feel abandoned by others- or even God, to still trust and believe God is working. It is hard, but not impossible. For, in truth, God has not abandoned us, He is still working to accomplish His purpose, His way and in His time. Even when I see or hear nothing
How often do we forget others? Because of our own busy ness? Out of fear? Or pride? Is there someone in my life, or yours, right now that God is prompting us to remember? Someone we have forgotten? Someone who would benefit from a good word? Do we say we will pray for someone and forget? How easy it is to think it doesn't really matter.
We have all been the one who forgets as well as the one forgotten. Neither is easy. No matter which I am Lord, may I allow you to rule my reactions. May there be no room for self; that I would not be so self focused I would forget others. May I see God's hand and purpose in the times I have been forgotten more than my own feelings, trusting Him as Joseph did.
For two full years Joseph was forgotten, left in prison. I wonder, Lord, did he feel forgotten by You? I assume he continued to be faithful in his work in prison- but did he wonder if there was a purpose to what he did? Did his dreams mock him? How intensely did he have to deal with the attacks from satan, or any enemy? Two full years.
Undocumented in this passage of Scripture is forgiveness. Joseph had to have forgiven, and walked in that forgiveness to the cupbearer. If he had not it would have come out in his words and actions somehow. What is our attitude towards those who have forgotten us? Do we become bitter or angry? Do we deem them untrustworthy? Do we still walk in integrity in our dealings with them? It seemed as if Joseph had no ill feelings toward this cupbearer, even when forgotten. He was not bound by another's failings. Do I forgive those who I feel have forgotten me? Not just with words, but in my heart?
How do I respond when I feel I have been forgotten? Am I in grief or despair? Do I stop having a spirit of praise? Do I become vengeful? Am I full of self-pity? Or do I trust that He is still God and is working His purpose out. It is hard when we feel abandoned by others- or even God, to still trust and believe God is working. It is hard, but not impossible. For, in truth, God has not abandoned us, He is still working to accomplish His purpose, His way and in His time. Even when I see or hear nothing
How often do we forget others? Because of our own busy ness? Out of fear? Or pride? Is there someone in my life, or yours, right now that God is prompting us to remember? Someone we have forgotten? Someone who would benefit from a good word? Do we say we will pray for someone and forget? How easy it is to think it doesn't really matter.
We have all been the one who forgets as well as the one forgotten. Neither is easy. No matter which I am Lord, may I allow you to rule my reactions. May there be no room for self; that I would not be so self focused I would forget others. May I see God's hand and purpose in the times I have been forgotten more than my own feelings, trusting Him as Joseph did.
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