Category: Adversity

Psalm 107: Redemption Stories

Sometimes I write to remind myself what’s true. It gives me hope when the world churns out bad news faster than I can process it. Whether it’s another mass shooting, a respected leader making a questionable decision, a brutal and unjust war, or a gut-wrenching situation with a friend or family member, there’s no shortage of news to send me into a downward spiral of angst.

Thankfully, the Bible includes plenty of examples of people experiencing difficult and sad situations. This week my devotional led me to Psalm 107, which gave me several relevant illustrations. Written by an unknown author, most scholars believe it was penned to celebrate the Jews’ return to Judah after being held captive in Babylon for 70 years. Their time in exile was God’s discipline for their disobedience following numerous warnings by different prophets. After being humbled in Babylon, the psalmist calls out God’s goodness and reminds us of the blessing of following His ways: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”  (vs 1-3, NIV)

The psalmist continues by calling upon those who have been redeemed to praise the Lord and recount stories of His goodness. He includes examples of people who pleaded for God’s help and received His deliverance. Some were redeemed from problems of their own making; others were redeemed from circumstances beyond their control. In each case, their stories have something in common: those in distress were humble enough to ask God for help and to thank Him for their deliverance.

The first example describes people wandering in the wilderness who are lost and hungry: “They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (vs 5-6, NIV)

I see a modern parallel in this example. So many people in the world today seem to be wandering in the wilderness, trying to find meaning, identity, hope, and comfort apart from God. Author and pastor Paul David Tripp explains the result of these hollow endeavors: “Whenever you name something in creation as the thing that will satisfy you, you are asking that thing to be your personal savior…you are looking horizontally for what will only ever be yours vertically. In other words, you are asking something in creation to do for you what only God can do.”1

In contrast, the psalmist reminds us where to find true fulfillment: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (vs 8-9, NIV)

Next, the psalmist describes prisoners in bondage who had rebelled against God and despised His plans. Deep in their misery, they finally sought Him for help: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” (vs 13-14, NIV)

There’s another modern parallel in our culture today. Have you noticed we’re repeatedly fed the lie that true freedom is found in doing whatever we want? Ultimately, as we distance ourselves from God’s ways and give in to our selfish desires, we discover we’re actually not free at all, but in bondage to sin. Only when we cry out to God and admit our need for Him do we find true freedom through Christ.

Next, the psalmist describes rebellious fools who suffer physically because of their sins: “They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” (vs 18-20, NIV)

The people he describes harm themselves physically as a form of rebellion against God.2 I shudder to think of the many examples of this in our world today. Yet, God in His goodness remains ready and willing to save anyone who calls out to Him. He sent out His word to heal and rescue in the past, and still does it now.

Lastly the psalmist describes sailors at sea who witness the might of God’s creation and then seek His help in the midst of a storm: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (vs 28-30, NIV)

Storms in life may take us by surprise, but they don’t catch the Lord unaware. Sometimes we get angry at God during hard seasons and want to blame Him for our misfortune. We feel resentful, viewing pain and discomfort as “bad” instead of seeing them as normal parts of life.  If we’re honest, we often feel entitled to ease and comfort and get offended when we don’t have them. But storms in life have much to teach us about ourselves and God. They mature us, teach us to rely on Him, and lead us away from taking good things for granted. This perspective enables us to appreciate times of ease instead of expecting them.

The Bible includes these stories and examples so we can learn from them and, hopefully, not repeat the same mistakes the Israelites did. God is good and wants to share His goodness with us. He has plans for us that are good, so let’s take the advice of Psalm 107: “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” (vs 43, NIV)

The ache we feel when upsetting events happen in the news or in our personal lives sometimes leads us to discouragement, anger, or hopelessness. When we feel this way, it’s important to remind ourselves of God’s sovereignty. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. Let’s humbly remind each other of this truth on the days when the world feels especially hard, sad, or ugly.  Listen to “Reign Above It All” and let it give you a fresh perspective today. 

  1. David Paul Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, Crossway 2014, May 24 entry.
  2. Walvoord and Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books 1985, 871.

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Sharing Hope

Feeling the vibration of my phone in my purse, I pulled it out and checked my texts. A long-time friend was reaching out to ask for prayer as her father neared the end of his life. Feeling weary and discouraged from months of dealing with doctors, caregivers, and grim diagnoses, she’d dashed off a text to a small group of us who had been supporting her. Empathizing with her grief, I replied with words of encouragement and a few verses that had sustained me in similar situations. Other friends chimed in with additional support, prayers, and Bible verses. Later, she replied to tell us how grateful she was to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus. 

In the past few years I’ve had many opportunities like this one. It’s a privilege to help someone reframe hard circumstances by looking at them from an eternal perspective. Experiences like this affirm Priscilla Shirer’s words in her Elijah Bible study: “What God says pinpoints the hinge that separates hope from hopelessness, possibility from impossibility…Elijah’s time in Cherith is what enabled his faith reflex to be so easily ignited during his interaction with the widow. He seemed almost to jump at the chance to introduce God’s provision and promise to her. He didn’t minimize her lack or pretend it wasn’t real…[but] he emphasized the word of the Lord that applied to her specific circumstance.”1

Elijah had experienced God’s miraculous provision first-hand during the eighteen months ravens fed him while living by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-6). So, when he left Cherith and encountered a starving widow in Zarephath preparing to make her final meal “Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid….For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:13a, 14-16, NIV)

Elijah’s experience in Cherith enabled him to offer life-giving hope to the widow in Zarephath. But this story isn’t meant to stay tucked in the pages of Scripture. Priscilla Shirer challenges us, “Listen to me: Zarephath strategically brings you face to face with someone else’s impossibility—the terminal diagnosis, the unreachable child, the failing marriage, the crippling depression. Hear them and sincerely empathize when they tell you what they see, but don’t leave the conversation without inserting what their omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, promise-keeping God says.”2

Of course, being able to give hope to someone else implies you’re pursuing God on your own—investing time in His Word, claiming His promises, and trusting that He’s going to come through for you. Our ability to encourage others and point them toward hope depends largely on how well we know God for ourselves. A firm foundation of faith is laid one day at a time. Intimacy with the Lord builds trust and provides hope when the world tells us all is lost. Priscilla Shirer describes the benefit of doing this: “As God matures and refines us, life’s crises won’t be capable of flipping the switch inside us that rams us into fear and anxiety mode. Instead, they will trigger and innate reaction within us to call out, to cry out, to the Lord. To trust Him. To rely on His sovereignty.”3

As we learn to lean into the Lord and let Him speak to us in trials and difficulties, He’ll use those experiences to give us “Zarephath moments” to encourage others. In the New Testament, Paul affirms this saying “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

It’s a privilege to come along side others in their pain and struggles; it’s a joy to point them toward hope found only through Jesus. To do this effectively, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

1) Don’t rush your own healing process in your zeal to help others. If you’re enduring a trial or hardship, be tender and patient with yourself. Recognize your own limitations. Helping others while you’re still in the midst of your own hard situation can short-circuit your healing and be detrimental to them. You need the benefit of perspective before you’re ready to offer support. Elijah couldn’t attest to the Lord’s provision until he’d completed his tenure by the brook Cherith. 

2) Remember that others’ struggles aren’t exactly like yours. While there may be parallels between the difficulty you’ve had and the one someone else is facing, there are also differences. There’s usually not a one-size-fits-all approach to trials and challenges each of us face. And no one needs to hear how much worse your situation was in comparison with the one they’re enduring. Be honest about what you’ve experienced, but be sensitive and listen well.

3) If you’re going to share a Bible verse, take time to explain why it impacted you. Don’t make Scripture trite by throwing random verses at a hard situation and hoping they’ll stick. It’s meaningful to share promises from the Bible, books, songs, and articles that God used to encourage you, so be sure to tell your struggling friend how you benefited from them.

As you expand in your knowledge of Scripture and experience personal encouragement from it, the Lord will give you opportunities to share His truth with others who need hope too. Why not take a moment to pray about it right now? Try something like this: Lord, help me commit to studying your Word and applying it to my circumstances. Show me where I need personal healing before I can help others. Prompt me with the right words when you’re calling me to be a spokesperson for Your promises, as Elijah was for the widow in Zarephath. Help me to be sensitive and listen well. Please continue to encourage me in my struggles and lead me to opportunities to share hope with others who need it too. 

Let Mike Doheny’s song “All Together” inspire you to be authentic in your personal hardships and empathetic with others. Click here to listen.

  1. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 104.
  2. Ibid, 104
  3. Ibid, 109 

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Session 7: Mary’s Prayer

Do you remember setting up your family’s manger scene at Christmas time? I still recall how much I loved arranging each character in the nativity. Baby Jesus was always placed in His rightful position in the center, nestled in the manger. Next, I would put the Christ child’s parents flanking Him protectively. Fanning out on either side of Mary and Joseph, I’d arrange the shepherds with a few sheep and the wisemen with their camels, all looking on with reverence and awe. Finally, several barnyard animals and an angel affixed to the roof of the stable would complete the joyful scene.

I never gave Mary much thought as an individual—she was just one of the players in an incredible, dramatic story. Years later, after I had children of my own, I had a deeper appreciation for her and all that she must have experienced. As I’ve studied the few passages where Mary appears in Scripture, my esteem for her has only grown. I’ve been amazed to realize what a wise, godly woman she was in spite of her tender age. 

Consider, for example, Mary’s incredible knowledge of Scripture. During her pregnancy, a visit with her relative, Elizabeth, prompted her to sing a prayer of praise to the Lord that’s overflowing with quotes and allusions from the Old Testament. “Some scholars believe that Mary was so steeped in Scripture that the words just flowed from her.”1 Her song, called The Magnificat, begins by praising God and expressing gratitude at being chosen to bear the Messiah. Like many prayers we’ve studied, Mary focuses first on worship and adoration:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49, NIV)

Mary’s words echo praises to the Lord found in other portions of Scripture. Her prayer reveals her knowledge of words written by kings and prophets including David, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah and Moses. It also reveals considerable knowledge of God’s character and the history of His Chosen People. Every verse correlates with other portions of Scripture. 

We’ll never know on this side of heaven how Mary learned so much of the Old Testament at such a young age, but we can let her example inspire us to pursue God’s Word with passion and consistency. Maybe, like me, it was Mary’s mother who first taught her stories from Scripture. I can’t help but think of the dedication I wrote for my mom in the opening pages of Extraordinary Prayer. She was the first person to introduce me to Jesus and to show me the value of studying God’s Word. I still picture her poring over her enormous Bible at our kitchen table surrounded by papers and commentaries. It was her example that spurred me on to prioritize studying the Bible and teaching it to others. 

My mom has been on my mind a lot lately. Last year around this time, I was spending every day with her as cancer delivered its final blows to her broken body. In her lucid moments, we talked about what awaited her in heaven. I remember her smile of anticipation at the thought of seeing Jesus face to face and of reuniting with my dad. Despite her pain, she exuded peace. My mom believed so firmly in the hope of the gospel she’d studied for years that there was no need for fear. Knowing Scripture guided her in life and reassured her as she prepared for death. 

A few days after she passed away, I came across two passages that jumped off the pages of my Bible: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4, NIV) I realized this was exactly what my mom had done for me. She taught me about God’s faithfulness and helped me find reassurance in His Word whenever I needed it.

The second passage both comforted and surprised me: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did;” (Psalm 116:15-16a, NIV) It felt personal and affirming–as if God was telling me to continue the passion for Scripture my mom had modeled to me. Her time on hospice occurred as I was making final edits to the manuscript for Extraordinary Prayer. So, it seemed fitting to add those passages to the dedication I’d already included in the front of the book. To me, they’re a reminder to continue sharing what I’m learning in Scripture with others so that they can find hope, joy, and peace. 

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God’s Word is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12) My mom knew this, which is why she could believe promises written several thousand years ago applied to her personally. She knew her salvation was secure because of Jesus. My mom didn’t lose heart as her body began to fail because her eyes were fixed on what is unseen and eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Mary also knew she could trust the Scriptures. This enabled her to take words from prophets and kings and apply them to her personal circumstances. Instead of being fearful about her pregnancy and all of the unknowns she faced, she rejoiced knowing God chose her to be part of fulfilling prophecies she’d heard all her life.

These examples remind me that knowing the Bible should change how we interpret personal events. When we trust the goodness of God’s character, hardships become spiritual growth opportunities. So, let’s continue to pursue studying Scripture and applying it to our lives, following in the footsteps of these godly examples and many others like them. 

Listen to Jenn Johnson and Bethel Worship sing “Goodness of God” and imagine it from Mary’s perspective. Then, make the words your personal prayer today.

1. Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer, page 175

Session 5: Jehoshaphat’s Alarming News

What’s the first thing you do when you receive alarming news? Most of us jump to action and try to make a plan to fix or solve whatever is wrong. We seek people or information that might provide help. We access resources that might be useful. And, once we’ve tried everything humanly possible to deal with the situation, we pray. Many of us see prayer as a last resort—the action to take when there’s nothing else we can do. It seems so passive—a vain attempt to make ourselves feel better or to calm down when nothing else seems to be working.

But the Bible shows us people who used prayer as a first resort. They knew they could access the One who has infinite power, so they sought Him before hatching their own plans. One of my favorite examples of this is King Jehoshaphat. In 2 Chronicles 20, he learns that a vast army is marching toward Judah to make war on his people. So, what does he do? “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4, NIV) Jehoshaphat calls on God as his first solution to alarming news. And because he seeks the Lord and teaches his people to do the same, they follow his lead and join him in prayer. It’s an inspiring example for us in our own times of distress.

Standing before the temple, Jehoshaphat leads the people in prayer. Again, I’m humbled and amazed to see how he begins: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.  Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:6-7, NIV) Despite their dire circumstances, Jehoshaphat opens the prayer by acknowledging God’s authority and sovereignty and praising Him for His power. Rather than launching into a plea for help, he remembers God’s faithfulness to their ancestors and acknowledges it in his prayer.

This pattern of praising and acknowledging the Lord isn’t unique to Jehoshaphat. 

His prayer echoes Moses’ words of wisdom to the Children of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land: “ Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today. Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:37-39, NIV) Like Jehoshaphat, Moses directs the Israelites to remember God’s faithfulness by looking at the past. This reminder serves as a springboard to acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty over heaven and earth.

We see another powerful and godly leader follow this same pattern. Take a look at King David’s prayer here: “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” (1 Chronicles 29:10-12, NIV)

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us to follow this same pattern of praise and acknowledgment in the Lord’s Prayer: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV)

Moses, David, Jehoshaphat, and Jesus are only a few of the many people in Scripture who model prayers that begin with praising God and acknowledging His sovereignty over all things. Perhaps we’d be wise to learn from their example. God is powerful, holy, and wise. These aren’t just flowery words to say in prayer. They give the Lord the honor He deserves, put us in a place of humility, and remind us He is trustworthy and faithful. Remembering God’s character enables us to stop trying so hard to control outcomes of situations we face. Instead, we’re freed to let the Lord work in the way He deems best. So, we can pray with confidence as Jehoshaphat did: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12b, NIV)

God always has a plan. Not only did He deliver Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah from the invading armies, He completely conquered them. All the Israelites had to do was march out to witness the Lord’s victory and collect the spoils. So rather than treating prayer as a last resort when you’ve exhausted all other options, why not seek Him first? Fix your gaze on the God and let Him show you He’s trustworthy.

For further encouragement in your prayer life, listen to Phil Wickham’s “Battle Belongs” by clicking here.

Why Prayer Matters

What is the purpose of prayer? I know, that’s a big question with a lot of different answers. Many of us see it as a way to ask God for what we want or need: healing for a loved one, a solution to a big problem, or a positive outcome for a challenging circumstance. So, when we get what the desired result, we say our prayers “worked” and that God is good. The challenge comes when God keeps us waiting or gives us a different answer–which can lead us to become confused, angry, or disillusioned. 

Megan Fate Marshman offers a different perspective on prayer. She describes it as “connecting with the one who loves you most.” (page 79) I agree with her– prayer isn’t only about asking God for what we want but about cultivating a relationship with Him. This is also what Jeremiah describes when he writes from God’s perspective saying: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

Prayer is so much more than just a tool for making requests of God or a last resort when we’ve run out of all other options. Over the years, I’ve discovered many truths about it through consistent practice and study. It’s changed me and caused my faith in God to grow deeper and wider.  Prayer is more powerful than most of us realize. Today I’ll share just three of the many reasons why:

Prayer Invites God Into our Circumstances: Psalm 139 tells us that God perceives our thoughts and knows what we’re going to say before we speak. Some would argue that there’s no reason to talk to the Lord since He already knows everything about us. However, the purpose of prayer isn’t to inform God of our circumstances; it’s to invite Him into them. Prayer opens the lines of communication between God and you, just as you talk regularly with people you love. It gives the Lord permission to speak into our lives and to share His wisdom. Often, prayer changes our hearts more than it changes our circumstances. 

That’s exactly what we see at the end of Psalm 139 when David says: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)

Prayer is the Healthiest Way to Manage Fear and Worry: Anxiety is on the rise in our culture. Many of us feel a constant undercurrent of fear and worry at all times. We try to control our surroundings, our circumstances, our plans, and our relationships as a way to stave off those panicky feelings. Our minds churn over worst-case scenarios and “what-ifs” that fill us with dread. The irony is, all the time we spend worrying and fretting does nothing to change our circumstances. It wastes our energy, overwhelms our thoughts, and steals our joy–preventing us from living life to the fullest. In contrast, taking all that angst and laying it before God frees us to trust Him and to expend mental energy in more meaningful and productive ways. No one says it better than the Apostle Paul:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9, NIV)

Prayer Lets Us Take Action When We Feel Powerless: When circumstances unfold the way we want or expect, we have the illusion that we’re in control, which makes us feel powerful. But here’s the harsh truth: There are few things we can actually control beyond our reactions. When we realize this and accept our humble position, we give God more opportunity to work in our lives. As we recognize that only the Lord is sovereign and in control, we can trust His power.

One of my favorite examples of this is the prayer of a lesser-known king in the Bible named Jehoshaphat. When he learns that three enemy armies have combined forces to invade Israel, he gathers his people and prays humbly before the Lord: 

“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12, NIV)

Isn’t it amazing that the most powerful man in Israel admitted that he didn’t know what to do in front of all his subjects? The Lord answered Jehoshaphat’s prayers by delivering their nation from enemy attack. Through miraculous circumstances, they faced their opponents and experienced victory without spilling a drop of Israelite blood.

How freeing it is to accept our frailty and weakness and to recognize humbly that we have no power on our own. Acknowledging we don’t have control and looking to God to rescue us gives us access to true power from the One who loves us most of all.

Truth be told, I have so many thoughts about prayer that it was hard to write so little in this post. In fact, I’ve spent the last year studying and writing about it. So, if this is a practice you’d like to explore further, I’d be honored to have you consider my new Bible study Extraordinary Prayer: Using God’s Word to Expand Your Prayer Life. (The story of Jehoshaphat is just one of the many you’ll discover in it.) You can find it on my website under the “Book Table” tab or on Amazon.

Phil Wickham’s “Battle Belongs” is an incredible song filled with Scripture that reveals the power we have through prayer. Listen and celebrate this incredible truth today.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You, Zondervan, 2020.

Changing Your Lens

I started dabbling in photography when my kids were little. Because I’m always trying to take the perfect picture, I notice details like color, texture, angle, and lighting. After taking so many photos over the years, I’ve learned that the same shot can be stunning or lackluster–it all depends on the lighting and perspective. A subtle shift can change the quality of a photo dramatically. I find this same principle with life circumstances. We can filter hardships through the light of our expectations and be disappointed, or through the light of God’s divine plan and be hopeful.

It’s challenging to cast difficult times in a positive light–usually we see them as “bad” and rail against the unfairness of having to endure them. Although they seem like interruptions to the way life is “supposed” to unfold, hardships provide rich opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. They’re only limited by our willingness to shift our perspective. When we begin to view difficult circumstances through a biblical lens, we start seeing that dim lighting is just hiding the good that can come from them.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this comes from the life of Joseph recorded in Genesis 37-50. We’ve spent the past few months looking at his story, but there’s one last angle that’s worth highlighting.  You probably remember that after being sold by his jealous brothers to slave traders, he finds himself in a series of unfortunate circumstances. Eventually he experiences a stunning reversal and becomes second in command of Egypt. In this position, he’s tasked with ensuring the crops produced during seven years of plenty are stored to prepare for seven subsequent years of famine.

Meanwhile, Joseph’s family in Canaan experiences the ravages of the food shortage and heads to Egypt. His ten older brothers appear before him to buy grain and, “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” (Genesis 42:8, NIV)

After several interactions with them over time, Joseph can’t restrain himself any longer and proclaims, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’” (Genesis 45:4b-7, NIV)

Rather than spewing anger at them for selling him into slavery and inflicting years of misery upon him, he reassures them. Joseph sees the big picture and realizes that God, in His sovereignty, used him to save his family and many others from starving to death during the famine. Later, he reiterates this to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

Reading that leads me to think of someone else who endured hardship for the good of many: Jesus. Just as Joseph tumbled downward from his privileged position as Jacob’s favorite son to a lowly slave, Jesus left the glory of heaven to become a lowly man: “[Jesus] made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7, NIV)

Joseph endured the humiliation of being falsely accused and punished for a crime he didn’t commit.  In the same way, Jesus was falsely accused and received punishment for the sins of all humankind: “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

Scripture explains the purpose behind this: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4, NIV)

Joseph traveled a broken road, but he saw how his painful circumstances led to ultimate good—the saving of many lives. Like him, Jesus’ suffering led to an even greater good–the saving of humankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

God allowed His son to walk a painful path for the sake of ultimate good, triumphing over evil, death, and sin. Kelly Minter explains “evil exists in the world…At the same time we find a parallel track of God’s goodness and redemption, not running in place of evil, but somehow running alongside it, with God ultimately having His way with evil in the end.” (p. 199) Choosing to look at the hardships we endure through the light of eternity helps us to see how they can be used for His glory and our good.

Paul gives us similar encouragement in the New Testament: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV) How timely that my next series of posts will focus on this incredible truth using Megan Fate Marshman’s Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You. I hope you’ll join me.

Until then, let Elevation Worship’s song “See a Victory” remind you to view your circumstances through the light of God’s goodness. 

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

To learn about other parallels between Joseph and Jesus, click here.

Image by Jonas Svidras from Pixabay.

Almost Home

My boys just returned to college after a month of being home for the holidays. Our oldest is starting his final semester. It feels like yesterday that he was in high school and we were sitting at the kitchen table discussing where he would go. I remember encouraging him to branch out saying, “College is only a few years–it’s a great time to experience living in a different part of the country.”

He embraced that idea and chose a school 1500 miles from home. Over the last three-and-a-half years he’s experienced a culture that’s quite different from where we live. It’s been a rich time of education for him, both in and out of the classroom. Despite my enthusiasm about his college choice, I still bristle when anyone refers to it as his “home.” While we don’t know where he’ll end up living when he graduates, in my mind, his home will always be under our roof.
 
Most of us have experienced temporary lodgings—living somewhere for a while that isn’t our true home. We learn new things and have different experiences, but we know we’re not there permanently. I think many of us forget that this is also the case with our time here on earth. However, Scripture repeatedly reminds us of this truth. Look at Jesus’ statement in His prayer for all believers: “They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” (John 17:16, NLT) Or consider Peter’s words emphasizing that Christians are “temporary residents and foreigners in the world.” (1 Peter 2:11, NLT)
 
In keeping with this theme, Kelly Minter warns us of becoming enchanted by the things of this world. She says “I’ve been bamboozled by the shiny objects of what money can buy, hoodwinked by the allure of fame, swept up by dynamic personalities that weren’t always authentic.” (page 170) Her words remind me of this passage: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17, NIV) The world, as it’s referred to in this passage, is “a system of values and goals from which God is excluded.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary) We live in tension with these competing perspectives of worldly wisdom and biblical wisdom every day. It’s why we prioritize studying God’s Word and spending time with others who seek Him. We need to remind one another that this world is not our home. 
 
While it can be difficult to live and think differently as followers of Christ, it is also more fulfilling and rewarding. Kelly Minter highlights this saying: “The longer I follow Jesus, though, the more the temporal pleasures of this earth really do dim in comparison to the joy of His fellowship and the privilege of loving and serving people, pleasures that are eternal. The end of Jacob’s life inspires me to live fully in view of God’s promises, even the ones that might be a way off. Jacob could have made his permanent home in Egypt and identified with its prosperity, but he knew that none of those flash-in-the-pan riches could hold a candle to taking his place as part of God’s royal lineage.” (pages 170-171)
 
Like Jacob and Joseph, we need to maintain our focus on the Lord during our time on earth. God’s sovereignty hasn’t been threatened by tumultuous events at any point in history, including the present. He is the only truly firm foundation for our lives. This is a good reminder as many worldly pleasures, comforts, and distractions have been stripped away by COVID-19. As we look to the Lord to steady us, we can also share His hope with the world that desperately needs it. 
 
In the book of Colossians, Paul admonishes us: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” I like the directness of the Message version of this passage: “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you.” (Colossians 3:1-4, The Message)

Life right now may be hard for you, but remember this world isn’t our home. Let that truth encourage you today and every day. Set your mind on things above and let God use you to bring hope to those who need a perspective shift too. The trials we’re facing now are a blip in the light of eternity. If you need a reminder of that, enjoy “Almost Home” by MercyMe.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

Eugene Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, NavPress/ Tyndale House, 1993.

John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books, 1983, page 891.

Image by Ida Damkilde from Pixabay 

Playing the Long Game

Sitting across the chess board from my son, he explained the rules and basic strategies of the game. I’d grown up playing checkers but had never ventured into the more complicated world of chess. My son’s agile mind seemed more adept at managing the pieces and remembering the various rules for moving them. After he’d beat me, yet again, he explained his strategy: “See the future.” I realized he wasn’t playing one move at a time but mapping out multiple options and anticipating countermoves. He understood the importance of playing the long game. 

Author and teacher Kelly Minter draws a comparison between chess, checkers, and our spiritual lives saying, “I am queen of the short game…On my bad days, I measure God’s favor toward me (or lack thereof) by whatever has gone right or wrong that day. When I do this, I forget that not only is God after the long game in my life—my personal sanctification, spiritual growth, blessing of others, heart growing to look more like Christ’s—He’s also after His long game. In other words, God cares deeply about our individual lives, and at the same time, He wants to use us in His far bigger story of redemption. We’re meant for something much larger than ourselves, but this is easy to forget in our instant gratification and selfie culture.” (p. 145)

The story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 is just one of many in the Bible that illustrates this. He shows amazing trust in God and a willingness to endure hardship for the Lord’s greater purposes. Consider Joseph’s explanation when he reveals his identity to his brothers who had sold him into slavery 22 years earlier: “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:4-7, NIV) 

Instead of being vengeful towards his brothers for selling him or angry at God for allowing him to endure such hardship, Joseph focuses on the good that resulted from his presence in Egypt. He sees that his oversight of the food storage and distribution not only saved Egyptian lives but would ultimately preserve his family line as well. Kelly Minter explains, “So far in our study we’ve been mostly looking at Joseph’s story from a checkerboard perspective—lots of reactionary and sometimes unrelated moves that don’t seem to be governed by a bigger plan. We’re finally at a point where we’re beginning to see God’s much bigger plan of redemption playing out, a plan marked by patience and forethought. We’re beginning to see that God, in and through all the little moves of His people in our story—some sacrificial, some selfish—is working out a great plan to turn the house of Jacob into the nation of Israel in the land of Egypt. 

One might say all the players in Joseph’s story were playing checkers while God was playing chess. Except God isn’t playing a game with kings, queens, pawns, and knights. He’s writing a story of redemption that’s all about one King whose name is Jesus—the King who will rescue His people from their sins.” (p.149)

We know this ultimate truth about Jesus, but sometimes I wonder how many of us let it impact us daily. It’s commonplace lately to hear stories about lives filled with hurts and hardships. Many of us are grieving the loss of our pre-COVID lives. In the past year we’ve lost loved ones and livelihoods; we’ve grappled with depression and anxiety; we’ve struggled with loneliness and longed for community. We’re under pressure at work and at home. Marriages and families are crumbling. Some of us are suffering from physical ailments or caring for others with major medical problems. And to make matters worse, our nation continues to battle political strife and deep division. 

With so many sad, hard, and negative things happening all around us, I wonder sometimes if we’re doing exactly what Kelly Minter describes: getting so mired in the details that we’re forgetting God’s bigger plans. Is it possible that these hardships we’re facing could be reminding us of our need for Him? Instead of magnifying the difficulties in our lives, perhaps we should try a different tactic by trusting God to use them for good. When we’re grieving unwelcome changes or staggering losses, let’s look for the new things He might be doing.

Think of the hardships Joseph endured that preserved his family line, which ultimately brought us Jesus, our Redeemer. Because of Him, we have hope in the midst of every struggle. We have purpose and fulfillment. Our foundation is secure. Jesus is the answer to all the world’s problems and to our personal ones as well. This isn’t just a nice “Christian” thing to say—it’s the truth. So, if you call Him your Savior and Lord, then live like you believe it. Let your faith in Him steady you in these trying times and then ask God how He wants to use you as part of His bigger plan. It’s time to put away the reactionary thinking of checkers and to trust in God’s strategy for His long term plans.

Even though the world feels like it’s falling apart, rest assured that Jesus is holding all things together:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3a ESV)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17 ESV)

If you’ve been letting the troubles in your life or our world drag you down, maybe it’s time to change your focus. Let “There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton remind you that you already have exactly what you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZXRIw5uBuY

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

Discipline Isn’t Punishment

Cradling my broken arm in his hands, the physical therapist gently straightened it and bent it, testing for flexibility. I felt vulnerable without my wrist and elbow braces but wanted to do what was needed to help the healing process. After kneading the muscles and tendons around my elbow, he said, “I’m not gonna lie to you, this next exercise will hurt.” With that, he began rotating my lower arm slowly back and forth. I squeezed my eyes shut as every muscle and tendon surrounding my fractures tensed with searing pain.

Before leaving, I asked the therapist how I could differentiate between “good” and “bad” pain. Knowing which motions would help the healing process would motivate me to press on, even when it hurt. I see a parallel here with the emotional pain we endure through difficult circumstances. Kelly Minter explains, “There’s a big difference between automatically viewing our suffering as God’s punishment on us and recognizing His restorative discipline, which can sometimes be painful.” (p. 98) Some hard things we experience are for our benefit. Kelly suggests reading this passage from Hebrews for further study:

 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ‘Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.’” (Hebrews 12:7-13, NIV)

The word “discipline” comes from two closely related Greek words: “Paideia” and ”Paideuo.” Both involve correcting, instructing, and educating another person.   The words were originally used to describe rearing children but were later used in reference to teaching believers who were young in the faith. One word that was not part of either definition was “punishment.” There are nine different Greek words for punishment, but none of them includes these words. Discipline has nothing to do with revenge or seeking justice after someone has violated a moral code. Although our culture sometimes uses the words “discipline” and “punishment” interchangeably, they are two entirely different concepts.  Discipline is not for retribution, but for our benefit.

The Hebrews passage tells us that hardship is a form of discipline. This means the difficult experiences we face in life can be used for good. Sometimes God allows painful circumstances to refine our faith or to build our trust in Him. Other times, He wants to get our attention or to show us we’re putting our hope in something other than Him. Occasionally He allows positive things in our lives to be removed to make way for better ones. With our eyes on God, even the worst situations can make us spiritually stronger.

I’d never paid much attention to the last part of the Hebrews passage until breaking my arm a few years ago. It says we should accept discipline to “strengthen our feeble arms” so that “the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” If I had been unwilling to do the painful therapy required to restore strength and flexibility to my arm, I would’ve been disabling myself in the long run. Although my fractured bones would have healed, the stiff tendons and muscles would not have become flexible again without some serious effort. The result would have been limited mobility that would’ve hindered my daily tasks and physical activities.

Similarly, submitting to God’s discipline heals and strengthens us so that we don’t go through life emotionally and spiritually stunted. Trusting God through challenging times also keeps us from becoming bitter or from wallowing in self-pity. Instead, we lean into Him through the pain, knowing that He is using it to produce a “harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

When we let God use pain to draw us to Him, we open ourselves to receive His peace, healing, and strength. Is there some hardship in your life that the Lord may be using to discipline you? Will you let him do it? Remember, it’s for your good and His glory.

Kelly Minter points us back to truth in light of this hard topic: “As we close today, let’s contemplate the immense love God the Father has for us in sending His beloved Son, Jesus, to be our atonement…How can we justify ourselves when our sin is ever before us? The truth is we can’t. And that’s preceisely why Jesus has done it for us. What hymn says it better than…’It is Well with My Soul’”? (p. 119)

Click on the link and be encouraged by Lauren Daigle’s version of this beloved hymn.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press 2019.

Christmas Can’t Be Stolen

The high-pitched sound was impossible to ignore. Perplexed, I picked up my phone to silence it and saw an alert flashing on my screen. My heart sank reading the news–our county was being required to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s feeling like March 2020 all over again, but this time we’re in the Christmas season. The virus continues to make us hold our plans loosely and to find new ways to connect with others and do our jobs. As the list of restrictions and limitations grows longer, it’s starting to feel like we could re-name Dr. Seuss’ classic book How the Pandemic Stole Christmas. The situation feels frustrating and out of our control. However, we still have a choice in how we respond.

That’s what came to mind as I read Kelly Minter’s commentary on the story of Joseph. The false accusations that landed him in prison probably left him feeling frustrated and out of control too. But in Genesis 41, we read about a stunning reversal as Joseph is set free from prison and placed second in command over all of Egypt. Thanks to his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and his wise stewardship during seven years of plenty, the Egyptians remain well-fed and prosperous as famine ravages the land. 

In Genesis 42 we see the famine also affects surrounding nations when Joseph’s brothers arrive from Canaan in hopes of buying grain. They appear before Joseph to make their request and he recognizes them immediately. The brothers, however, have no idea it’s him. In describing Joseph’s initial encounter with his brothers, Kelly Minter observes: “Even though [the brothers] had been living in the promised land of Canaan, their hearts don’t appear to have softened much, despite them having access to the God of their fathers. On the other hand, though Joseph had been living outside the land, he’d been dwelling in the presence of God.” (p. 84) Kelly emphasizes here that what matters most is how we respond to our circumstances and engage with God through them.

She continues, “You may be waiting for a difficult circumstance to change, but with Jesus in that place with you, the greater miracle is that you can be changed…Our physical location doesn’t determine our redemption story; He is our redemption story. So although some circumstances remain unchanging, our God remains too. The gift of Himself is the fulfillment of the promise. As we dwell in His presence, we experience life change whether we’re in Egypt [where we don’t want to be] or Canaan [where we do want to be.] Forgiveness, hope, redemption, and reconciliation can and will occur because He is with us. Circumstances do not achieve this. He does.” (p. 84-85)

So, what does this have to do with sheltering in place in 2020? Everything. So much of what we value and rely on has been stripped away from us. Favorite traditions and gatherings with friends and family probably won’t happen this year. Many people are isolated, depressed, anxious, and struggling financially. But here’s one thing that no shelter in place order can take away: God’s presence. This is at the heart of the Christmas season, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23, italics added.)

If you’re struggling to feel God’s presence during this seemingly unending season of difficulty, let the Lord’s words be an invitation to you this Christmas: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV) Use the extra time at home to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord. In the absence of the usual stress and bustle of the Christmas season, embrace the opportunity to focus on the real meaning of all our celebrating.

The Grinch failed to steal joy from the residents of Whoville; COVID can’t steal it from us this Christmas either. Yes, it’s going to look a bit different this year. But what matters most remains as true today as it did in Bethlehem long ago: God became flesh and dwelt among us. He’s with us and that’s a hope we can cling to regardless of our circumstances.

Let Matthew West’s song “The Hope of Christmas” lead you to the heart of this season. 

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study of the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press 2019.

Artwork courtesy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1957.