Category: Trusting God

Help Me with My Unbelief

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2, NIV)

Using the image of a shepherd lovingly tending his sheep, David paints a serene picture of God’s constant presence with us. Author Jennifer Rothschild likens this to riding a tandem bicycle with Jesus and asks, “Where are you sitting?” She describes several scenarios: 1) Riding in front and pedaling hard on your own strength 2) Riding in back “shouting directions to your Shepherd and calling it prayer” 3) Contentedly sitting in back, “safe with your Shepherd, knowing He is in total control.” (p. 52)

Rothschild points out that often we can’t rest peacefully beside quiet waters because we struggle with unbelief resulting from not fully trusting God. Perhaps you relate to that like I do. If so, you’ll find comfort in the story of Jesus and a father who wrestled with unbelief. He came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied: “’If you can’?…Everything is possible for one who believes.’  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”  (Mark 9:22-24, NIV)

I love the man’s honesty. Admitting his struggle with unbelief was the first step to receiving the help he needed from Jesus. And ultimately, the Lord did heal his son. Maybe we could learn from his example and approach God with complete honesty. If we revealed the pockets of unbelief in our lives that hindered us from trusting Him, perhaps we’d give the Lord new opportunities to reveal His power.

Jennifer Rothschild’s example reminded me of a favorite poem that I discovered at a pivotal time in my faith journey. It’s about riding a tandem bike with Jesus and learning to trust Him. As you read, consider who’s riding in the front seat in your life. How are you doing with admitting your unbelief to Jesus? How could you benefit from relinquishing control to Him?

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable…
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious
and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn’t answer,
and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”
He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord’s and mine.

And we were off again.
He said, “Give the gifts away;
they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He’d wreck it;

but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I’m beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says…”Pedal.”

-Author Unknown

Although I asked Christ to be my Savior as a child, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I surrendered to Him as Lord. That’s when I allowed Him to take the front seat on our tandem bike and my adventure with Him truly began. Switching seats was both frightening and exhilarating. Even now, making Him Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How about you? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your life? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live. Listen to “Way Maker” by Michael W. Smith and let it fill any pockets of unbelief in your life with powerful reminders of God’s character.

 Poem quoted from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1987, p. 51-53.

Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press 2018, p.52.

After God’s Heart

David wrote almost half of the 150 Psalms recorded in the Bible. Through them, we see a window into his heart and mind. We identify with his humanity as he shares authentically about his triumphs and struggles. It’s difficult to choose a favorite from among the many he’s written, but Psalm 23 might be the most well-known. Chances are high you’ve heard it in a funeral service at some point.

In the opening chapter of Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Bible teacher Jennifer Rotschild gives us some background on King David and his famous psalm. She explains that Psalm 23 may have been written near the end of his reign while he was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was attempting to overthrow him. Rothschild mentions that Scripture refers to David as “a man after [God’s] own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

Like most people, I assumed this meant that David had an especially deep connection to God—that he relentlessly pursued His heart. And yet, if you know David’s life story, it’s clear he didn’t always do what pleased or honored the Lord. 

Author and pastor René Schlaepfer helped shed some light on this for me. In his book Chasing David, he explains “That David is a ‘man after God’s heart’ means David is God’s choice, a man God’s heart has gone after.” He quotes Hebrew Bible scholar Sandra Richter who says: “Although most interpret this phrase to mean that David had a particularly deep affection for Yahweh or that David had bent his will after Yahweh’s, in reality, this text reflects..David is ‘a king of God’s choosing.’” (“Yahweh” is the Hebrew name for God.) Schlaepfer concludes, “It’s not just a verse about David’s heart; it’s a verse about God’s heart. His heart went after David.” (p. 35)

Despite being a mighty king, David recognizes his dependence on the Lord and celebrates His lavish provision, which he describes in Psalm 23. With humility, he highlights the Lord’s care and protection over him:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
(Psalm 23, NIV)

In this Psalm, David places himself in the inferior position as a sheep under the care of the Lord, his shepherd.  He opens by talking about God, but later shifts and speaks directly to Him, praising Him for His love, faithfulness, and goodness.

 In the New Testament, Jesus also uses the example of a shepherd, but he puts Himself in the place of God, referring to His followers as the sheep in His tender care: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15, NIV) Like God with David, Jesus shows throughout the New Testament that His heart is for us—that He has gone after us in the same way the Lord went after David. 

One of the many places Jesus demonstrates His pursuit of us is in this parable: “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NIV)

Do you see the parallels here? Jesus, the shepherd, pursues us just as God sought after David. Maybe it sounds a bit presumptuous, but I think this shows that any follower of Jesus is a person after God’s own heart, just as David was. The fingerprints of His grace are all over this. Jesus’ death on the cross reveals that we are all “people of God’s choosing.” The only thing we have to do is respond to the love He so freely offers.

Listen to Corey Asbury’s “Reckless Love” and reflect on God as the Good Shepherd whose overwhelming, never ending, reckless love pursues you relentlessly.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2019.

René Schlaepfer, Chasing God: Finding Hope & Courage on the Trail of Israel’s Greatest King, Twin Lakes Press, 2019.

Sandra L. Richter, The Epic of Eden (Downer’s Gover: IVP Academic, 2008), 201.

Shepherd image by Free-Photos from Pixabay.com

God Speaks

The football stadium’s atmosphere pulsated with excitement.  Referees blew whistles, cheerleaders chanted, and the band played the school fight song at every touchdown. It was Homecoming —the most exhausting and exhilarating week of the school year for me as the Leadership teacher. 

Standing on the track in the end zone, a group of class officers huddled around me as we waited for their Homecoming floats to be judged. Each class had poured countless hours into building scenes that would parade around the track on trucks at halftime. But first, they had to be judged so the results could be announced as they drove by.

The adults we’d recruited to evaluate the floats didn’t know the students or how much time they’d devoted to constructing them. They strolled past each one, staring for a few minutes and then marking the score sheets. A few minutes later, the results were announced over the loudspeaker and the classes awarded third and fourth place were crushed. The judges hadn’t taken the time to consider the intricate details and had given first place to the seniors, just because they were the oldest. Indignant, the younger students peppered me with questions, “Didn’t they notice that detail? Did they see how closely it resembles the real thing? Did they recognize how well we showed the theme?”

The judges had gotten an overall sense of each float, but hadn’t gone beyond that. I wonder if God ever feels a bit like those frustrated younger students. How often do we stop to recognize and appreciate the intricate details He orchestrates to sustain life for us? Sometimes we’re so consumed with what we want Him to do, we forget what He’s already doing.  We get a glimpse of how He might feel when He responds to Job’s laments. The Lord speaks, but rather than addressing Job’s specific issues, He gives him a different perspective:

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angelsshouted for joy?’” (Job 38:1-7, NIV)

The Lord continues with a lengthy description of intricate details of His creation, revealing His power and sovereignty. Then, He gives Job a chance to speak. Humbled, he responds:

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.” (Job 40:4-5, NIV)

While there’s nothing wrong with pouring out our laments to the Lord, we also need to step back and look at the ways He reveals Himself that we may be overlooking. We may not find direct answers to our questions, but looking beyond ourselves helps us to see God’s attentiveness to detail and His care for all of creation, including us.

One of the best things I’ve learned to do when I’m hurting or perplexed is to stop thinking about my issues and go outside. For me, being in God’s creation seems to put everything back into perspective. It reminds me of the Lord’s power and sovereignty over all things. I see His creativity and attentiveness to detail and I’m reassured that He will handle all the concerns that plague my thoughts. Focusing on the Lord by admiring what He’s created steadies me and realigns me with Him. Paul says it well in the book of Colossians as he describes Jesus:

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17, NIV)

That last line sums up God’s response to Job: He holds all things together. This is powerful reassurance to anyone enduring trials, suffering, or challenges. Whether you’re in a hard season or not, take some time in the next few days and head outside. Pause and notice the intricate details of creation all around you and be reassured that God is with you in whatever you’re enduring. Take comfort in His presence rather than demanding answers from Him.

And if you can’t get outside, enjoy His creation by scrolling back to the top and admiring the photo of Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. Then, watch these worship videos. Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” includes several lyrics inspired by Job 38 and “So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong United will fill you with awe as it displays creation and celebrates God’s redemptive plans for us.

Suffering Isn’t Punishment

We have lots of names for it: payback, karma, retribution. We use clichés like “you get what you deserve” or “you had it coming to you.” Often, we examine a person’s life to make sense of why they’re enduring hardships. And, like Job’s friends, we make faulty assumptions like this: “(1) All suffering is the result of sin. (2) God punishes each act of sin with a penalty that corresponds to the gravity of the sin. (3) Suffering is proof of personal guilt.”1

It’s clear in Scripture that God punishes evil and sin. A few notable examples are the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18 & 19 and the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 (you can read them later if you need a reminder).  

That said, any punishment we deserve for sin has already been dealt with on the cross: “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-26, NIV)

Anyone who puts faith in Jesus as Savior is no longer subject to the penalty that sinners deserve because restitution has already been made. So, if we’re not being punished, what other reasons might there be for our suffering? Here are a few:

Discipline: Sometimes hard things happen to us because we need to be disciplined. When we receive correction from God and let it refine us, we prove that we are His children and that we trust Him: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” The passage continues, “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.” (Hebrews 12:7, 10b-11, NIV)

If you’re enduring hardship right now, ask the Lord to make it clear if He’s disciplining you for some reason. Invite a godly friend to give you some perspective. Maybe you need accountability on some sinful behaviors or attitudes that you’re overlooking.

Spiritual Maturity: Sometimes God allows hardships because they develop spiritual maturity in us and prove our faith is genuine. Suffering can foster character qualities we need to grow in our relationship with the Lord: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4, NIV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV)

Perhaps there’s a latent quality in you that God is uncovering through what you’re enduring. Or maybe there’s an aspect of your character that God is refining through your hardship.

To Display God’s Glory: As Bible teacher Lisa Harper says, sometimes our suffering is a conduit for God’s glory. When we lean into Him and trust Him, we grow closer to the Lord. We also impact others with the hope we find in Him, whether we get a favorable outcome or not.

When Jesus and His disciples encountered a man blind from birth, they asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus replied, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Later, the man shared his story with the Pharisees, saying “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:1-3, 25, NIV)

Paul also explained that suffering displays God’s glory, even while we’re experiencing it: “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV)

Are you willing to pray and ask God to show His glory through your suffering? 

To Experience God’s Power: Suffering strips away anything else we’ve relied on for strength and drives us to God. Paul explains: “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NIV)

Have you tapped into the sufficiency of God’s grace to strengthen you through your hardships?

Encouragement for Others: Walking faithfully with God through suffering opens us to His blessings and gives hope to others enduring hardship: “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11, NIV)

Have you considered the way your response to suffering could be like Job’s? Like him, we have the opportunity to inspire others and lead them to the God of hope.

If you’re suffering right now, let the words of “King of My Heart” by Bethel Music encourage you today.

  1. J. Mark Terry, “Job’s Friends: Models of Compassion?” quoted from Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy by Lisa Harper, Lifeway Press 2018, p. 56

Why Studying Suffering is Good

Checking the weather app on my phone, a frown spread across my face as I packed. I was preparing for a mission trip to Mexico where I’d be outside for an entire week. Between working at the build site all day and spending the evenings back at our team’s rustic camp ground, the forecast of rain wasn’t a welcome sight. With limited space in my bag, I wondered if I should bother stuffing in a bulky parka. For a fleeting moment, I considered ignoring the weather prediction, thinking if I didn’t pack the coat, it wouldn’t rain. Realizing my flawed logic, I wedged it into my duffel.

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A few days later, I slogged through camp under stormy skies on a chilly afternoon. Intermittent rain showers made for a soggy evening, but I stayed warm and dry sheltered in my enormous coat. Turns out it was worth making room for it in my bag after all. 

Strangely enough, I thought of that parka as I brainstormed ways to introduce the next book of the Bible we’ll be studying in the coming weeks.  Job isn’t one most of us would clamor to read, but I think we’ll be glad we did. In case you need a refresher, it’s the story of a man who endures unfathomable suffering and loss. On the surface, it’s doesn’t appear to be especially uplifting subject matter.

Life is hard enough, so why would we want to wade into someone else’s tragic story? Watching a man of integrity face the challenge of losing his children, his riches, and his health is a bit of a downer, after all. Isn’t it easier to believe those kinds of things can’t happen to us? Like leaving my coat home in hopes the weather prediction would be wrong, we’d rather avoid the reality of suffering. 

Unfortunately, skirting around hardship is impossible in this life. Jesus said it plainly, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33b). Nothing exempts us from life’s hardships—not wealth, power, prestige, resources, or a good family (Job had all of them).  Studying this book will equip us with knowledge we’ll be thankful to have when our own times of suffering come.

Job’s story deals with the familiar question we all ask at some point: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This study may not give us the clear-cut answers we crave, but it will re-frame how we approach suffering. God allows pain for good reasons, even if He doesn’t always reveal them to us. Halley’s Bible Handbook explains, “In reading through the book of Job, we must remember that Job never knew why he was suffering—nor what the final outcome would be. The first two chapters of Job explain to us why it happened and make it clear that the reason for his suffering was not punishment for sin, but rather a test of Job’s faith that God was confident Job would pass. But while we as readers of Job know this, Job himself did not.”1

Some scholars believe Job may have been the first book of the Bible to be written. It’s likely the title character lived in the time of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) or shortly thereafter. He lived in the land of Uz, which scholars believe was outside the land of Canaan, possibly along the border between Palestine and Arabia. Job may have been a descendant of Esau; some scholars think he may have been Jobab, the second king of Edom mentioned in Genesis 36:33.

The Israelites considered Job part of their wisdom literature, along with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Apart from the introduction (chapters 1 & 2) and the conclusion (chapter 42:7-17), the book consists of speeches by Job, his friends, and God. “The book delves into issues near to the heart of every human who experiences suffering. The prologue provides a fascinating peek into the back story—why God allowed Satan to afflict Job with such pain and turmoil. Then, through a series of dialogues and monologues arranged in a pattern of threes, human wisdom attempts to explain the unexplainable, until finally God Himself speaks.

The final chapters of Job record God’s masterful defense of His majesty and unique ‘otherness’—of God’s eternal transcendence above creation—in contrast with Job’s humble and ignorant mortality. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? / Tell Me, if you have understanding.’ (Job 38:4)”2

I hope learning from Job and understanding the role of suffering in life will equip us for the times of difficulty we’re facing now or may confront in the future. This won’t be just for our benefit, but for the good of those around us: “What a powerful witness it is to the world for Christians to not be full of anger and resentment toward God when suffering! We know that He is a God who loves us and does only what is is right.”3

I hope you’ll join me as we spend the next several weeks diving into Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy by Lisa Harper. Until then, listen to “Scars” by I Am They for a refreshing perspective on suffering.

Resources cited:

  1. Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan 2000, p.311-312 
  2. Insight.org/resources/bible/the-wisdombooks/job
  3. Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan 2000, p. 311

Forging a New Path

Rolling my bike to a stop, I surveyed the trail. Just ahead of me, a large tree had fallen across it, blocking my way forward. The thick trunk and spiny branches would have been awkward to scramble over with my bike. The best option seemed to be going around it, which meant trudging through knee-high weeds and over rocky ground to forge a new path. 

A few weeks later, the tree was still stretched across the main trail, but the long weeds I’d pushed through were now trodden down. Clearly, others had made the same choice to navigate around the obstacle in the road. Each time I took the trail in subsequent months, I noticed how the new route began replacing the old one. Matted grass gave way to bare patches of dirt, rocks were kicked aside and, over time, the rough trail was smoothed by a multitude of feet and bikes. Within months, the path around the fallen tree had become the main route. It had just taken repeated and consistent use over time.

I imagined this trail as I began thinking of my hopes for the new year: I want to build some new paths—not on dirt trails, but in my mind. I’ve been learning there is science to support this goal, it’s not just wishful thinking on my part. In her book Get Out of Your Head, Jennie Allen explains the work of Dr. Dan Siegel, a professor of clinical psychiatry. “’Where attention goes,’ he wrote, ‘neural firing flows and neural connection grows…Patterns you thought were fixed are actually things that with mental effort can indeed be changed…We are not passive in all this activity of mind and awareness.’ What we think about, our brains become. What we fixate on is neurologically who we will be.” (p.42) So, the more we think certain thoughts, the wider those paths become and the more we’re inclined to travel on them mentally.  

Allen goes on to explain, “Good things happen when we train our attention on that which is beautiful, on that which is authentic and compelling and good. What’s more, beyond the obvious emotional experience, those good things from the hand of God can point us to the One who creates beauty, who is beautiful. Cynicism puts our minds on things of this earth, and we lose hope. Beauty points our gaze toward the heavens and reminds us of hope.” (p.135)

I’m not proud to admit that many of my neural pathways take me to negative places. It requires intentional effort for me to look on the positive side, to assume the best, and to be confident there will be a favorable outcome. My default modes of thinking tend to be critical, negative, and cynical. But I hope to change that this year.

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians fuel my desire for a new web of trails in my mind: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) I want to re-route my thoughts onto more positive paths that honor Jesus and bring life to myself and others. And when I venture back down negative roads, I want the Holy Spirit to stop me before I’ve traveled too far. That way, I’ll develop a reflex of asking for God’s help to renew my mind so I can continue establishing new routes. Paul’s words to the Romans describe the process of shifting from old and unhealthy thought patterns to new ones: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”(Romans 12:2, NIV)

This year, I’m focusing on developing mental paths that are positive and hopeful. I want to assume the best and see the good from the start rather than having to talk myself into it. This can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit and the consistency of prayer.

Maybe, like me, you’re ready to step into a new day and forge a fresh path in the year ahead. The band For King and Country has an inspiring song called “Burn the Ships” that invites us to walk away from the negative things of our pasts and start new. Singer/songwriter Luke Smallbone explains, “The analogy of burning the ships came to me: the story of the sailors not wanting to explore the new world, wanting the comforts of their boats. Their leader calls them out and says, ‘We’ve got to burn the ships. This is a new world.’”

As you listen, ask God what ships you need to burn today so you can travel down new paths He has planned for you.

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, Waterbrook, 2020.

Luke Smallbone quoted from: ccmmagazine.com

Tying a Bow on Genesis

The book of Hebrews tells us that God’s Word is alive and active. Having just finished studying Genesis for the third time, I can attest to the truth of this statement. I’ve delved into the stories of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Joseph, Judah, and Tamar at different seasons in my life; although the tales remain the same, the truth I glean from them continues to expand.

Here are a few of the things that stood out to me in my most recent journey through Genesis:

  1. God is sovereign.  He possesses supreme and ultimate power. He gives us free will and doesn’t force us to follow His ways, but He is still the One who is ultimately in control. Because of this, I’m better off trusting Him than trying to do things my own way.
  2. God keeps His promises. It may take a long time, but He does come through in the end. (Think of Sarah, who waited 25 years to get pregnant with the child promised by God.) This means He’s trustworthy and I can rest in that knowledge even when I don’t see how He’s working in the moment.
  3. God is faithful. He remains true to us even when we doubt Him, make poor choices, or disobey. Seeing the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants despite their many blunders encourages me. Even when we fail, God’s plans prevail. We are fickle, but He is faithful.
  4. God is worthy. He deserves our honor, praise, and obedience. Seeing how He accomplishes His plans despite the ways people try thwart them (intentionally or unintentionally) inspires me to yield to Him as Lord of my life.

Knowing these truths, I’d be wiser to exert my energy trusting God than trying to control things using my own strength and wisdom. I’m striving to be less anxious when I don’t see or understand what the Lord is doing. My goal is to trust Him as I wait for answers, clarity, or direction. Rather than concerning myself with how events unfold, I want to focus more on what God is teaching me and how He wants to use me with the people and circumstances I encounter. I want to be less focused on why He’s allowed certain things in my life and more attuned to how He can use them to deepen my faith and impact others.

Reading the stories of Sarah and Rebekah has convicted me of my tendency to take matters into my own hands instead of trusting God. I overthink many things and try to play out scenarios multiple steps ahead of where I am. Rather than trusting God with how a situation will unfold, I try to anticipate each option and make contingency plans for it. My knack for being capable and productive doesn’t always leave room for God to work in His way and His timing. Realizing this is humbling and convicting.

The story of Joseph provides powerful examples for training me in righteousness. Seeing his faithfulness to God in difficult times while surrounded by unbelievers inspires me to be true to God and His ways. Like Joseph, I want to be honest and authentic about the Lord’s presence in my life instead of downplaying it in certain company. I’m also inspired to follow Joseph’s example by using my gifts to bless others in every setting, not just ones where people already love and honor God. I don’t want to be timid about pointing others to the solid foundation He provides.

Studying Genesis also bolsters my faith in the consistency of God’s Word from Old Testament to New. It always delights me to recognize the many elements that point us toward Christ. The lives of Joseph and Judah include many examples that I’ve discussed in other posts. During this season of studying Genesis, I was also struck by Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:

“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.  I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’” (Genesis 28:12-15, NIV)

Until Jen Wilkin’s teaching in God of Covenant, I’d never understood that the stairway between heaven and earth is Christ Himself. When we reach toward Jesus to intercede for us, we stand at the gate of heaven. He is the mediator between God and humans—the One who makes it possible for us to access the Almighty.

The ten weeks of studying the book of beginnings have come to an end. The “seed plot of the Bible” has provided rich soil for digging into relevant topics for our lives today. The stories and people in Genesis are messy and complicated, but God used them for His redemptive purposes, just as He does with us. Some situations make us scratch our heads in confusion or blush at sordid details; we wonder how a sacred book could be filled with such broken and sinful people. And yet, it’s these unsanitized stories and flawed characters that show Scripture’s authenticity. They give us hope that no one is disqualified from being accepted by God or used to advance His kingdom.

Understanding these truths prompts me to pause for a moment of worship. “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship beautifully shares the story of the gospel. Listen now and be in awe of our sovereign, faithful God who keeps His promises and is worthy of our praise.

Jen Wilkin, God of Covenant: A Study of Genesis 12-50, Lifeway Press 2018.

The phrase “seed plot of the Bible” was originally coined by Arthur W. Pink in Gleanings in Genesis.

Joseph After the Dream Coat

Whether you read the Bible or not you probably know Joseph’s story from the book of Genesis. Thanks to Andrew Lloyd Weber, Tim Rice, and an episode of Seinfeld, you’ve likely heard of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. The show is fun and dramatic, but light on spiritual significance. The biblical version spotlights the Lord’s faithfulness and Joseph’s character. Let’s look at a few of the many themes in this inspiring story and see how we can apply them to our lives.

The Lord was with Joseph

As a proud father, Jacob wasn’t shy about showing preferential treatment to the firstborn son of his favorite wife. In fact, he gave Joseph the coat of many colors as an outward symbol of his fondness. Naturally, this caused intense jealousy among his ten older brothers. Joseph only compounded their resentment by recounting dreams of his brothers and parents bowing down to him. (We’ll cut him some slack here for his stunning lack of self-awareness since he was only 17). You probably remember that his charmed life made an abrupt shift when his brothers sold him to slave traders who carried him off to Egypt. 

Despite his dire circumstances, Scripture reminds us four times in one chapter that “The Lord was with Joseph.” (39:2, 3, 21 & 23) Because of this, God’s favor rested upon him and those he served, “the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.” (Genesis 39:5, ESV)

Note that the blessing upon Joseph and the anguish of being enslaved were happening simultaneously. It’s not unusual for good and hard situations to coexist in our lives. In fact, Jesus promises us, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33b, NIV) Thankfully, He finishes that statement with a word of encouragement, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33c, NIV) Like Joseph, we can rest in the knowledge that God is with us: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23, NIV) What a comfort this should be to us!

Unfortunately, we often struggle living in the tension of knowing that life is hard, but God is with us. Is it difficult for you to trust the Lord and serve Him faithfully in challenging times? Are you tempted to get bitter or to wallow in self-pity when everything isn’t going your way? Perhaps it’s time to re-focus your attention on the truth that God is with you all the time. Can you believe Jesus and take heart knowing He has overcome the world, even when you can’t see how He’s working things out? These are convicting questions, but they might help to re-align your perspective if you’re in a difficult season.

Joseph’s Character Shines Through

No matter where Joseph found himself, his character remained consistent. His leadership skills and integrity always seemed to rise to the top like cream in a pail of milk. Consider these instances:

-Serving as a slave: “The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.” (Genesis 39:5-6, NIV)

-Behind bars: “So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Genesis 39:22-23, NIV)

-In Pharaoh’s court: “So Pharaoh asked [his officials], ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’…Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’” (Genesis 41:38, 40-41, NIV)

Despite receiving unfair treatment, being punished for false accusations, and living as a slave for 13 years, Joseph’s consistency of character continued to be recognized and respected. He used his gifts to bless others and in every situation, he proved his trustworthiness.

I’m inspired when I consider this. So often it’s natural to compartmentalize our lives and to show certain parts of our characters to select people.  We might be kind and friendly at church, but pull into our garages without acknowledging our neighbors. Or maybe we gladly sign up for service projects, but feel annoyed when someone who needs help interrupts our schedules. Perhaps we’re good at being like Jesus when people behave the way we want and don’t  inconvenience us too much. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from Joseph and let the gifts God’s given us bless others wherever we find ourselves, whether it’s a place we’ve chosen or a place we’re forced to be.

Joseph Honors God Boldly

One of the most striking aspects of Joseph’s story is the reverence he showed to the Lord. He honored God with his behavior and pointed others back to Him. Joseph chose not to fall to the temptation of Potiphar’s wife saying, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9, NIV). Each time he interpreted a dream, he gave God the credit “‘I cannot [interpret your dream],’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’” (Genesis 41:15-16, NIV) Later, when the Lord blessed him with children, Joseph chose names that honored Him and pointed to His faithfulness. His older son’s name meant, “God has made me forget all my trouble” and his younger son’s meant “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:51-52, NIV)

Joseph was the only follower of the one true God while he was in Egypt, yet he spoke about the Lord and gave Him the credit for everything. His boldness and humility are convicting, but also inspiring. How apt am I to speak of God’s goodness to unbelievers? How often do I admit that it’s Him working through me when I have a positive impact on others?  It seems that Joseph’s quickness to acknowledge the Lord drew respect from everyone. Perhaps it’s time to pray for more confidence in this area. Do you need to do the same?

Feeling like you can’t measure up to Joseph’s example? Don’t forget, God is with you, just as He was with Joseph. Let Matthew West’s song “The God Who Stays” encourage you today. 

*Image of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat logo from dellspalace.com

Assuming God is Good

Giggling from the backseat, my son read the completed Mad Lib aloud to his brother and friends. At the time, the boys were in elementary school—a prime age for reveling in the silliness of this classic fill-in-the-blanks activity. You probably remember doing Mad Libs of your own in younger days: one person acts as the scribe and asks the group for nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech to write into blanks in a pre-written story the participants haven’t read. The results are usually funny—especially with boys who strive to choose the most ridiculous words they can.

As we get older, we continue filling in the blanks mentally, but the results are usually less fun. We get in the habit of making assumptions about gaps of information with our best guesses. For many of us, these are more negative than positive. We do it all the time with other people. We also do it with God.

That’s why I find the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of his son, Isaac, so astounding. As a test, God asked him to do the unthinkable and place his cherished child as a burnt offering on the altar. Abraham had waited 25 years for the Lord to give him an heir with Sarah. So why did He make such a brutal request after fulfilling His promise? Perhaps Abraham had gotten his priorities out of order and had been prizing his son above all else. Maybe he needed to be reminded God still deserved first place in his heart. Whatever it was, Abraham didn’t ask for the reason, he just obeyed.

Scripture gives us a few clues about how he saw the situation. The first is when he prepared to take Isaac up the mountain as a sacrifice: “He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’” (Genesis 22:5, NIV)

Despite the plan to use his son as an offering, he told the servants both he and Isaac would return. Why would he say that? I used to think he was just trying to cover up what he was about to do so his servants wouldn’t try to stop him. But, maybe it was an example of his faith in God. As we read on, it seems possible he really did believe both of them would come back.

After leaving the servants behind, Isaac asked his father where they would find an animal to sacrifice and Abraham replied: “`God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:8, NIV)

Again, I previously assumed Abraham was stalling and giving an excuse to Isaac, but now I see that he really believed what he said. At the moment Abraham raised his hand to kill his son, an angel called out to him, showing that God was, indeed, trustworthy: “`Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.’ Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’” (Genesis 22:12-14, NIV)

In the New Testament’s “Hall of Faith,” we discover more insight about the sacrifice of Isaac: “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:17-19, NIV)

This story is hard to grasp on many levels, but what strikes me most is Abraham’s unwavering trust in God. Not once did he accuse the Lord of being cruel or unfair. He believed God was good and trusted Him to provide. God tested Abraham and he passed with flying colors.

So, what’s the personal application for us in this? I’m learning that when we lay down what we cherish before God, it enables us to reprioritize and give Him the place of honor in our lives He deserves. Only after realigning our will with His can we receive back what we freely offered Him. Or, as A.W. Tozer says, “As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once.”

I’m humbled by Abraham’s faith as I recall the many times I’ve filled in the blanks with negative assumptions about God. How often have I fretted over a difficult or uncertain situation instead of simply laying it before Him? When have I demanded to know why the Lord allowed pain in my life instead of trusting that He would use it for my good and His glory? What about times I’ve struggled to believe promises in Scripture, like this one:

“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)

Instead of trusting God is at work in ways He hasn’t yet revealed, I tend to worry and make contingency plans. Many of us in the midst of the unknown assume God is either not paying attention or not going to act in time. We want the Lord to work for our good according to our purposes instead of His. So, we seek comfort, security, and control in other things instead of trusting Him and waiting patiently. We act using our own wisdom when God doesn’t do what we want, when we want, how we want. All the while, we’re forgetting what Abraham remembered, even in his darkest hour. God is good. God is for us. God loves us. He has plans for us and provides for us. He knows us and what we need. He keeps His promises. His timing is perfect. He’s worthy of trust even when we don’t have all the answers and the path ahead is unclear.

For me, the best way to remember this is to fill my mind with truth about the Lord. Listening to music with sound theology is a great method for doing this. The lyrics redirect me and stop me from filling in the blanks with negative thoughts. And I’m always drawn back to the One who never fails me. If you need a dose of truth about God, listen to “King of my Heart” by Kutless.

The Best Request

As a kid, I loved listening to records (yes, the vinyl kind). One of my favorites was called “Tales from the Arabian Nights” and had a storyteller that regaled listeners with accounts of exotic people, places, and events. The one I loved most was the story of Aladdin and the magic lamp. Sometimes I fantasized about how I would answer if a genie appeared to grant my most extravagant wishes. 

Of course, those stories were pure fiction. However, there is one character in the Bible who was given the opportunity to make any request he wanted from the source of all power and authority: God Almighty. Maybe you’ve already figured out I’m talking about the story of Solomon, King David’s son and successor to the throne of Israel. Not long after being crowned the new king, Solomon went to offer sacrifices to the Lord and had an unforgettable encounter with Him. Here’s how it starts:

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’

Solomon answered, ‘You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.’” (1 Kings 3:5-6, NIV)

Did you notice what Solomon says before making his request? He starts by recognizing the Lord’s faithfulness to his father, David, and acknowledging that the Lord is responsible for his privileged position. Despite being king, he offers humble recognition that he is merely the recipient of God’s goodness and confirms the Lord’s authority over his life.

Stop for a moment and reflect on your typical conversations with the God. Is it common for you to acknowledge Him for the ways He has provided for you and given you privilege and power? If you don’t think you have privilege or power, here are some things to consider: the family that raised you and what benefits came from it, the country where you were born and the privileges that come with being a citizen, your education and intellect, your material/ financial resources, your relationships, your children/ grandchildren, your skills, gifts and abilities, your connections, etc. Many times, we’re so focused on what we want or need from God that we forget to notice what He’s already given us. Yet Solomon stops to acknowledge the Lord first, even when he’s offered anything he wants. Perhaps we’d be wise to follow his lead in our prayers.

Let’s examine the next portion of Solomon’s interaction with God before looking at the request he makes: “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.”(1 Kings 3:7, NIV)

Note how Solomon accepts his humble position in relation to the Lord, describing himself as “only a little child.” He recognizes that as king, he is God’s servant. He understands the enormous responsibility that accompanies his privileged position. Considering this, evaluate how much you include the Lord in carrying out your regular responsibilities. Do you acknowledge God’s sovereignty? Do you invite His guidance and involvement in all areas of your life– including less “spiritual” places like work, school, volunteer positions, and social circles? Be honest. Are there areas that you’re afraid or unwilling to surrender? Will you risk humbling yourself to let Him be Lord of every part of your life?

Finally, we come to Solomon’s request:

“Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’” (1 Kings 3:8-9, NIV)

In one word, what Solomon wanted most was wisdom. And here is the result: “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:10-14, NIV)

Solomon recognized his need for God’s wisdom in governing the people of Israel, and this pleased the Lord. He not only granted Solomon’s request, but blessed him in many other ways as well. Maybe you’re thinking this story isn’t applicable to you. After all, most of us will never rule a kingdom. However, the New Testament promises we, too, can ask God for wisdom at any time for any circumstance–even ones that don’t seem overtly spiritual in nature. The book of James explains: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the seas, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6, NIV ’84)

Is it time to change up your prayers a bit? Instead of telling God the specifics of how you’d like Him to deal with a situation, start by praising Him for being Lord of your life. Then ask Him to equip you with the wisdom you need and leave the rest up to Him. Let Him surprise you with the blessings that flow from there.

Casting Crowns song “God of All My Days” beautifully captures this kind of prayer. Why not listen now and let the words speak for you?

Lamp Image by Vicki Nunn from Pixabay.com