Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:7
One half of all Americans suffer from poor sleep. There is much to obsess over with my eyes on this world. Pressures on our children, financial instability on the horizon, political pressures that will only increase against God’s children, deception and division in our churches, poor health that is exacerbated by life in a toxic world. Just reading this list reinforces the lie that worry is inescapable and peace is unattainable.
God promises each of His children spiritual rest. Not too many years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you what it meant. While I had moments of it on a good day, I had no idea how it could be sustained. Rest can’t be dependent upon circumstances because God wouldn’t have promised it to people who live in a cursed world. Rest must mean something else.
Today, you and I can find true calm by remembering three things.
My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. Psalm 119:136
We know firsthand the pain of watching others reject God. We get physically sick as we seem them live on the edge of an abyss, and eventually shipwreck. We ache as they languish without the Word, as we witness every part of them growing more sickly. We would give anything to see them come to the One who wants to bring shalom to their brokenness.
Just as I hurt, God hurts. In today’s scripture, it’s hard to know whether David cries for the people who break God’s law or for God, Himself, as He watches people break it. Can I begin to imagine how deeply God feels when someone He loves rejects Him? I know He hasn’t adopted a casual attitude of indifference. Throughout scripture, God chooses to be the engaging, heartbroken Father who watches sin impact the ones He loves. It’s quite moving that David wants to sit with God and weep with Him over the ways He is hurting.
Just as I knock on the door of someone I love to grieve with them over a crippling loss, David visits God. We just went through an Easter season. I tried to keep in mind that God remembers what it was like to watch His Son die. Am I willing to remember with Him? He’s watching the world He made slowly erode and groan for His redemption. He’s watching the church of this age mingle their affections with the stuff of Babylon. Surely, each of His children can somehow soothe the ragged edges of His heart today over that. Think of it. Because of His desire for our company, He’s chosen to be affected by whether or not we share our heart or withhold it.
Bendetti, the 13th century hymn writer, was one day found weeping in public. When asked the reason for his tears, he said… “I weep because Love goes about unloved.”
Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133
Parents and caregivers give children definition. That’s a lot of power to hold in your hands. Children are born as empty canvasses. Comments made to them define how they see themselves for years to come. They can be rightly defined, wrongly defined, or in the absence of interaction, not defined at all.
It is the role of a parent to see how his child is naturally bent in order to reinforce the ways in which God uniquely created them. Their spoken observations define. “You really like the color red, don’t you!” “I’ve noticed that you can’t wait for a chance to dress up in something pretty!” “You are always the first one to help others.” “You must be a leader because others quickly follow your great ideas.” Think of how many observations are given to children in just one week. Compile these over the course of their formative years and you have set up a child to know himself and have a vision for the future.
Just as good comments set up a child positively for life, bad comments set them on painful detours. Because children believe what they’re told, they may never have another opportunity to really know themselves as God created them unless they allow His Word to correct all the previous bad messages. God will also be gracious to send them new truth tellers.A child was born to dream and he quickly discovers if his dreams will be affirmed or criticized. If it’s the latter, if he believes his dream is stupid or inappropriate, he will drive it underground and never bring it to the table again for consideration. Because a child wants to please, he will morph into what gets him love and approval. How many doctors should have been teachers? How many teachers should have been musicians? I’m convinced that precious few find their calling.
The only thing worse than wrong definition is no definition. Adults believe that children should be seen and not heard. At family gatherings, children are relegated to a children’s table; not because of space, per se, but because there’s no perceived value in interacting with them. In this parental void, children have no idea who they are. Their lives consist of obeying a set of rules while aching for real relationship. They become doers with no sense of being.
I am one who grew up with a beige internal world. My soul resembled a model home where everything was painted a neutral color. But here’s the thing ~ the walls of a purchased home aren’t meant to stay that way. At some point, someone will buy the house and make it their own. Rooms will be personalized. Artwork will be hung. Beautiful colors will accent rooms. A child without definition can’t decorate his life.
The life of a child of God is rich with definition and color. David says that God keeps our feet steady and that the iniquity of others words and actions need not shape our lives. At the end of the day, no matter how much damage has been done, God steps in at our spiritual birth to assume the role of Father. He heals any disfigurements. He whispers away false accusations. He redefines, recolors, restores, rejuvenates, realigns, and puts our feet on the path for which we were created. Our lives have rich purpose – both externally and internally. We end up doing what had been the point all along ~ each of us living a life that gives glory to God.
I am bound to You and You father me perfectly. Your Word gives me more definition than I’ll ever need in this lifetime. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen
I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. Psalm 119:168
Charles Spurgeon calls this Psalm ‘David’s life-psalm’. At the end of it, the verses are a bit shorter, more pointed, like David is breathing out the things most important to him in short musical phrases.
Oh, to be able to say at the end of one’s life that, even in old age, there is a resolve to keep God’s ways because there is still the keen awareness that God’s eyes are upon His children. God said to Abraham in his old age, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.” Gen.17:1 While some might argue that the pressure should be lessened, considering the fragility that often comes with old age, David would not agree. As the sunset of his life appears on the horizon, he reviews God’s graces and renews his vows.
Here’s the challenge. The condition of body and soul affect the spirit. When I’ve been sick, it’s been hard to connect to spiritual passion. Everything felt dull, including my spiritual life. Since old age brings with it decreased energy, physical ailments, and a constant series of losses, spiritual passion can easily be threatened.
God’s grace comes in many shapes and sizes. It is as varied as the sands of the sea. It is given according to what the needs are. In the senior years of our lives, God will give daily grace for our obedience; grace to love Him, grace to feel His presence, and a special grace given by the Spirit as He cups His hand around a flame that sometimes flickers, a flame of fidelity that is tested in the fires of frailty.
There are places, even today, where faith is as fragile as an egg-shell. I cry out for your grace. Amen
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:7-8
God is powerful enough to protect us even when thousands fall all around us, but does this mean that God will save us every single time? Hardly. God did not spare His own Son from suffering. While on mission, His life was protected even though He had many enemies who sought to destroy Him. God kept Jesus until “It is finished” was spoken from the cross.
My father fought in WWII, in the European theatre. In one battle, his platoon was hemmed in at the front lines. They dug a trench, spent the night, and knew that the probability of death in the morning was almost certain. Before leaving home for Europe, Dad set out to memorize Psalm 91. That night in the trenches, he recited it until the dawn broke. When the sun came up, the fighting grew fierce and several hours in, the heavy artillery stopped. Looking around, he discovered that he was the only one who had survived. He retreated backwards on his belly for many hours until he could set off on foot to join in with another platoon.
But on two other occasions, he was not spared harm. Psalm 91 was still quoted from memory yet he was severely wounded. So severely, in fact, that he was awarded 2 purple hearts for his bravery.
Psalm 91 is not a spiritual rabbit’s foot. It is an affirmation of trust in a powerful God who can choose to spare life or choose to extend grace if deliverance doesn’t fit with His overall purpose. We never know which it will be, but we place ourselves into the hands of our Mighty God. Nothing, absolutely nothing, causes him a moment of worry. And nothing should cause us to distrust His promises.
I’ve lived long enough to see You spare my life and allow me to be wounded in battle. I trust You with my life no matter Your decision. Amen
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise Thee. Psalm 63:3
Our last dog was a beautiful golden retriever named Mollie. She was a rescue and was four years old when we got her. When we brought her home, I turned to her and said, “You just had your last bad day!”
Getting to know Mollie’s quirks took some time. For four years, Mollie had been neglected and shoved in a back yard. She had no shelter from the weather. She was a captive to the heat, cold, rain, thunder, and lightening. Though safe and with us, her fears continued to play out. When Mollie went to the door to go out, we’d open it and she’d turn and run away. When we’d call her to come back, she’d run further down the hall.
It took us a good eighteen months to understand why she was so conflicted. Though she wanted to go out, she was afraid we’d trap her outside. We tried a bunch of things but here’s what finally worked. We opened the door, stroked her, then turned our back to her so she felt no pressure from us. With the choice truly being hers, she cautiously walked outside.
Quirks can be a nuisance without love. Think of what happens while we wait for Mollie to decide whether or not to go outside. With the door open during a Georgia summer, the heat poured in the house. In the winter, the heat escaped and cold poured in ~ all because our dog needed time to make up her mind.
Each of us have a story. We come to God with triggers. Some are afraid of silence; others, of noise. Some have a fear of crowds; others, a fear of being alone. The comforting thing is that God knows us intimately. He knows how to scale the wall with just the right words and experience so that we’ll lose our shyness and trust Him. He’s not stumped by our quirks nor do they put Him off. Patiently, He works with each of us. Cajoling and encouraging, He offers Himself as a companion.
Ever feel like you’re forever imprisoned by your past? Like you’re making no progress? God has the key to steps forward. Go to the open door.
Some of my objections to You spanned decades. Oh Lord, You never stopped reaching out to help me. Your lovingkindness is better than life. Amen
Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:25-26
Life does not begin and end with me. Live begins and ends with God. If I allowed God to live through my life, His influence, through me, will live on. Though my body may ond day lie in a grave, life will be far from over if I’m God’s child. The promises of God that I embraced for my family will unfold long after I’m gone. I will watch and pray from heaven’s threshold as God’s faithfulness is displayed in the heavens and the earth.
The promises God made to Jacob and his descendants, realized through Joseph and his descendants, are still coming to pass today. That’s because Joseph’s life and the choices he made matter. He is not only a teacher when I review his story, but he is also a catalyst for the coming redemption of Israel. His coffin holds the remains of his mortal body, but earth still feel the effects of his faith.
Genesis reveals the themes of scripture. Creation. The Fall. Redemption. Restoration. Not only are these revealed in the overall storyline of the book, but they are also evident in the individual stories of God’s chosen people.
I am praying for you as I finish writing from Genesis today. It’s a sad day to say goodbye to our characters for now but my heart is full. I hope yours is too. Just like Joseph, you are meant to see redemption in every area of your life ~ then restoration. Despair results from living in a storyline that is unfinished and making the erroneous conclusion that this is the end of your story. Like Joseph, each of us are to wait for God to redeem what is broken. Yes, at times we faint under the ‘waiting’ but God will give us the grace to be tenacious in His waiting room.
I can think of no better way to conclude than with this incredible scripture from Psalms about Joseph.
They bruised Joseph’s feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. Psalm 105:17-19
Oh, my friend, as we close the book of Genesis, let’s stand tall in the truth that captivity never has the last Word for anyone determined to prevail in the promises of God.
To You, God of Joseph, be all the glory. To You, my God, be all honor and praise. In Jesus name, Amen
Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Genesis 50:19-20
I’ve been waiting for get to this verse the whole time I’ve in Genesis. It’s taken sixteen months. I want to have a Genesis 50/20 outlook of faith on all things done against me, from the petty to the catastrophic. I want my initial reaction to injustice to be confidence in God’s redemptive power instead of anguish.
There is no evil that wins in my life if I press in to seek redemption. No evil done against me takes God by surprise. Ever. He saw it ahead of time and planned long ago how He would wield authoritative power to transform it from a ‘Calvary’ to a ‘resurrection.’ Believing this is always my dilemma when it appears my life has been taken from me. This is the battle for faith.
Does this mean that I am spared the pain of betrayal? Does this mean that crying out from the pit as Joseph did is spiritually unbecoming to God? Not at all. Jesus cried so deeply that the stress caused his body to sweat drops of blood. Grief is to be acknowledged, felt, and explored. But underlying all of that can be an unshakeable trust in God, the One that does not let evil have the last word.
If two scriptures could marry, consider wedding together Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28. The first explains why the latter is true. Because God uses any evil done against me for my good, all things will work together for good to those who love God.
At this very moment, you may be a victim of evil scheming. The perpetrator looks all-powerful. Your present circumstances predict a bleak future. This is the time to put on the eyeglasses of faith. A Genesis 50/20 vision can be the lens through which you view your circumstances. You can choose to believe that this is not the end, but God’s doorway to a resurrection.
Joseph was a dreamer ~ then a slave ~ then a prisoner ~ but finally a ruler. The one who lived this story is the one who preached to his perpetrators, “You meant evil, but God meant it for good.” He realized this truth after his deliverance. Oh, but Jesus predicted His own resurrection long before His death. Redemption ruled His perspective in the middle of His darkest times. It can also rule mine.
I cry but I don’t despair. Permeate every part of me with responses of faith. Amen
When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people. Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. Genesis 49:33-50:3
Why would the Egyptians mourn over Jacob’s death for 70 days? Was it required? Was it truly their collective emotional response to his absence? Or perhaps it was out of respect for Joseph. But still. . .
Seventy days were how long people mourned the death of a Pharaoh and Jacob was not a pharaoh. He was not even an Egyptian! To further complicate this ~ Egypt did not value Israelites. They were considered peculiar, truly outsiders.
Did Joseph rule so well that people automatically loved his father too? Whom Joseph loved, they loved? I suppose that’s possible. This one thing is certain ~ For seventeen years Jacob lived in Egypt. He was visible, a powerful presence and he left an indelible mark on the people.
I am wide-eyed over this, and conjecture is all I have to address my many questions.
Fill each of us with Your Spirit so that we make such an impact for the kingdom. Amen
Then Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come. Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob, listen to Israel your father.” Genesis 49:1-2
Is it possible to imagine someone’s future based on past behavior? Yes. Their patterns of righteousness or unrighteousness spell out their future unless they make a course change. The principles of the kingdom accurately predict their days ahead.
If I know someone well who has a history of anger, I can forecast what will set him off down the road. If someone is greedy, I know not to expect generosity in the future. However, I do not know if an unrepentant will repent. I also do not know if a faithful servant will throw in the towel and choose an ungodly lifestyle. I do know, however, the principles of scripture. God put us in a sowing and reaping world. What we sow, we will reap. To be able to guess someone’s behavior from experience is not rocket science. It’s biblical wisdom.
Jacob knew the patterns of his sons. He knew that God often defined the destinies of His people by the bent of a men’s hearts. Jacob revealed the future of the twelve tribes of Israel to each of his sons. His knowledge of them, coupled with the revelation of God, accurately forecasted their destinies. I wonder how it felt to each one as this truth sunk in ~ What I’ve done with my life so far is determining my future.
What do I do today if I see the shipwrecked life of someone I love? I know that without a spiritual turnaround, the days ahead of them are foreboding. I ask God to have mercy on them. I ask God to destroy the schemes of the evil one to ‘blind the mind of my unbelieving loved one so that they might not see the glory of Christ.’ 2 Cor. 4:4 I ask God to reveal Himself to them and bring them to a place of spiritual need.
Each of us knows that our past does not have to define our future. With God, there is mercy. With God, there is forgiveness and a clean canvas upon which He can paint a glorious destiny of grace.
Thank you for not giving me what I deserve. Thank you for your fathomless mercy. Amen
Daughters of promise 