Lately, I've been going through the Bible with the express purpose of only reading one chapter at a time. I mean to do this daily, but that doesn't always happen.
In reading only one chapter per day, I notice a lot of things we take for granted. Emotions, time and place, the moments God sneaks Himself into varying situations. The character of the people God chooses and so on. I'm in Genesis 44 and getting toward the enjoy of Joseph's story and I'm totally enthralled by what God teaches us about what His favor on our lives looks like.
Most people think about the end of the story and how Joseph just rose to the top no matter what the situation was. We seem to remember the dream interpretations and all of this but we so quickly for many things.
It does mean that the pain you experience has purpose and fucntion and will allow you a chance to grow and grice instead of destroying you.
It does mean that the hard times of your life are well in hand and accounted for.
It does mean that, yes there is an exit and God will bring you out and say, "Look at My son/daughter! How blessed are they and how awesome am I for bringing this about!"
Think about these things and learn to say, "I'm listening..." when in pain and not immediately jump to "omg make it stop..." Not all pain is bad. Not all suffering is meaningless. God is for us, but that doesn't mean comfort.
In reading only one chapter per day, I notice a lot of things we take for granted. Emotions, time and place, the moments God sneaks Himself into varying situations. The character of the people God chooses and so on. I'm in Genesis 44 and getting toward the enjoy of Joseph's story and I'm totally enthralled by what God teaches us about what His favor on our lives looks like.
Most people think about the end of the story and how Joseph just rose to the top no matter what the situation was. We seem to remember the dream interpretations and all of this but we so quickly for many things.
Joseph was lied on.Here's the catch: this is the form that God's favor took in Joseph's life. If this has happened now, we would be fasting, praying, and having Satan-stomping campmeetings but the fact is that belonging to God and walking with Him does not mean that bad things or unfavorable things will not happen to you.
Joseph was lied to.
Joseph was thrown into a cistern.
Joseph was forgotten.
Joseph ended up sold into slavery.
Joseph was unjustly accused and went to jail for years.
Joseph's brothers hated him.
It does mean that the pain you experience has purpose and fucntion and will allow you a chance to grow and grice instead of destroying you.
It does mean that the hard times of your life are well in hand and accounted for.
It does mean that, yes there is an exit and God will bring you out and say, "Look at My son/daughter! How blessed are they and how awesome am I for bringing this about!"
Think about these things and learn to say, "I'm listening..." when in pain and not immediately jump to "omg make it stop..." Not all pain is bad. Not all suffering is meaningless. God is for us, but that doesn't mean comfort.
AMEN.
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