- araratchurch
- Jun 28, 2024
- 3 min read
“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.”
Genesis 39:1-4 NLT
A few years ago I was allowing thoughts to occupy my mind having to do with certain injustices against me and against my family. Mainly, I was wondering at the contempt shown towards me by those against whom I had never raised a hand. That was the gist of the thoughts.
In the midst of this thought process about my being treated unjustly, the Lord clearly spoke that He was offended by my thoughts. The Lord went on to explain to me that the thoughts in which I was engaging, were actually an indictment against Him!
Now, I was surprised by the Lord’s reproof. I know that He only wants good things for me. I also know that He is just. These thoughts were about what other people were doing, not an accusation or complaint against God.
The Lord then helped me to understand that I am in His hand and no one can change what He will do for me. Therefore, dwelling on what others have done for me is like saying that they can alter my ability to fulfill His purposes for me. It was like saying that the Lord’s promises were thwarted by mere man. WOW! I had honestly never thought about it that way.
When we have been on the receiving end of an injustice, the enemy may try to make us use the injustice as a legitimate excuse to throw in the towel. But God has given each of us a work to do! No matter the injustices we may encounter, we must not let those injustices define who we are—much less—Who God is!
Additionally, we must not let those injustices be internalized to the point that we see ourselves as being a helpless and hopeless victim. Having put our trust in our Lord, we must keep our eyes on Him, following Him no matter what injustice may cross our path. Remember, the Lord is our Judge, our Lawgiver, and our King. Therefore, we are not victims. We are the children of God!
Now, if anyone ever had a reason to become embittered and despondent, it was Joseph. For sure, he had every reason (in the natural) to give up on the grandiose dreams he had. After all, he was sold into slavery by his own flesh and blood!
In our opening scripture we see that contrary to giving up, Joseph continues to be who God made him to be. Yes, he is a slave; but he is an excellent slave!
The ability to persevere through difficulty, mastering any situation thrown our way, was addressed by the Apostle Paul:
“Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
Philippians 4:11-13 AMP
In the above scripture we see the full context of the oft quoted, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Paul
wasn’t only referencing the ability, through Christ, to do whatever he needed to do, he was talking about continuing to do what the Lord has sent him to do, no matter what he must endure in the doing.
Now, back to Joseph. He is excelling—even as a slave—because the Lord is with him. Not only that, other people are beginning to notice!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jun 27, 2024
- 3 min read
“Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard.”
Genesis 37:36 NLT
In 1962, Skeeter Davis recorded the song, “The End of the World.” Here are some of the lyrics:
“Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Don't they know it's the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love
I wake-up in the morning, and I wonder
Why everything's the same as it was
I can't understand, no, I can't understand
How life goes on the way it does….”
The sentiment expressed in the song is that of a person who has lost a great love. Now he can’t understand how the whole world isn’t grieved with him. How can the world be carrying on as usual?
Now, we all know that lost-love songs are very dramatic, probably overly dramatic. But I think many of us can identify with the feeling being expressed.
Indeed, I have had things going on in my life: loss, grief, suffering, etc., and turning on the TV, seeing game shows with people laughing and having a great time, it somehow felt surreal. Although I knew it was irrational, it felt “wrong” that they weren’t sharing my crisis. It’s not that I wanted them to be suffering. It’s just, how could they not know? Now, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m genuinely happy for you; but if you ever experience it, you’ll understand.
You see, as we have noted before, suffering is very personal. We may be sorry that someone is suffering; but we are not nearly as sorry as is the sufferer.
Think about it: Tragedies, including great injustices all over the world, are now quickly accessible for all the world to see. But also think about how quickly interest in those tragedies fades.
Great hurricanes, devastating fires, famine, murders, pestilence, whatever the tragedy, will grab the headlines for about 15 minutes. Then it’s on to something else, something new. Sometimes it’s even difficult to get an update on how things are turning out.
We are examining justice and injustice. Within that context, we know that the reality is that the world does go on, even though there is much suffering resulting from injustices, even as I am writing this, even as you are reading this.
The first word in our opening scripture greatly impacted me today. That word, “meanwhile,” just says it all: No matter how good life may be for some, there is always a “meanwhile” of much suffering, hurt, abuse, injustice, etc., going on somewhere.
At times, we may be the one suffering. Other times, we may be on the “oblivious” side, as things are going pretty well for us. The truth is, if we mourned whenever someone, somewhere, was mourning, our lives would be dominated by sorrow, hurt, etc.; it would be a miserable existence.
However, when we are blessed to be on the “things are pretty good” side of the “meanwhile” equation, we must not forget about those who are suffering great injustices:
“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”
Hebrews 13:3 NLT
Our personal pain can be like an echo chamber in which we feel very alone in our suffering. It can seem as though no one really knows, or if they do know, they certainly don’t care.
It’s hard to imagine what Joseph was feeling as he was sold by his own brothers, then sold again to Potiphar (a leader in Egypt), treated as a non-person, treated as a commodity.
Joseph can only hope that he will find justice in Potiphar’s house….
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jun 26, 2024
- 3 min read
“Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep.”
Genesis 37:33-35 NLT
Suffering is ubiquitous in our sin-sick world. Basically, everywhere you look, everywhere you go, suffering and grief can be found. Sometimes that suffering is our own familiar foe and grief our constant companion.
It seems that the sadness and suffering are magnified when resulting from someone else’s selfish or careless action or inaction, completely preventable if not for someone’s disregard.
As my sons were growing up, when there was some sort of calamity going on, I would ask them, “Are you solution or problem?” I also helped them to understand that whether they were actively responsible for the bad situation (problem), the least they could do is to not contribute to the bad situation. And preferably, they could contribute to making the bad situation better (solution).
Friend, when considering injustice and the resultant suffering, we must ask ourselves that same question.
Of course, it’s easy to see how the murderer, the thief, the slave trader, etc., are contributing to the problem of injustice and heaping fuel on the fire of human suffering. However, it’s also easy to be blind to our own contribution to the injustices that bring suffering and grief to so many.
In today’s portion of Joseph’s story we see that his brothers, having dispatched him and “covered” their crime, have now sucked Jacob into their web of deceit. Seeing the bloody garment, Jacob assumes the worst: Joseph has been killed! His grief is beyond consolation.
It’s hard to imagine that Jacob’s own sons watched him day after day, year after year, suffering in sorrow, without coming clean about what they had done. But you see, covering their own backsides, was much more important than an old man’s grief.
Yes, there is much suffering and misery in this world. As children of God, our responsibility is to make sure that we aren’t contributing to the suffering and grief by our action or inaction. Additionally—as much as is in our control—we must work to ameliorate the suffering and grief of others.
Sadly, suffering, misery, and grief—the result of injustice or otherwise—will be with us until Jesus comes to rule and reign. You see, only He can set everything right.
I’ll leave you with this:
“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.””
Revelation 21:3-5 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!