YOUR GREATEST CALLING

I love the story of Joseph and his brothers! The Coat of Many Colors, the interpretation of dreams, “what you meant for evil, God meant for good”. . . I could go on. All of it is the kind of romantic stuff that novels are based on. But of all those amazing tales, the one that is my favorite, is the exchange between Judah and Joseph when Judah is faced with the possibility of returning to his father without his youngest brother Benjamin. The passage is found in Genesis 44:18-34. As Judah makes his case to Joseph that he cannot return without his brother; because it would simply be more than his father Israel could take, he makes this statement in verse 34: “For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? That statement has been burned in my memory for years.

Why so impactful you might say? Well, Bible Scholars agree that Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. When I look at this passage from that perspective, I see myself (and each one of us for that matter) overwhelmed with the possibility of facing our Heavenly Father without the knowledge that our brother, children or other family members or friends are returning with us.

The account of Judah’s discussion with Joseph reminds me of the story of NBA great Pete Maravich. Pete came to Christ late in life, but during that time he was able to lead his father Press to Christ. In recognition of what that experience meant to his father; on his deathbed, Press spoke these words to his son Pete: “I want to tell you, be there. On resurrection morning, be there. I will be looking for you then. Nothing else matters. Be there.” Turns out Pete would follow his father to glory only a few short years later, dying from the complications of an enlarged heart, but his Dad was there with him.

Do you have a brother that you are not sure will join you with the Heavenly Father one day? Are you a parent tasked with the responsibility of introducing your children to Jesus? Whatever your station in life, no matter your situation YOUR GREATEST CALLING is to ensure your children, family and friends will “be there”. Let’s pray together that God will use each of us to that end!

THE URGENCY OF PRAYER

How important is it for us to pray? On my blog banner I quote James 5:16 “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Does it really? Elijah prayed that it wouldn’t rain and his request was honored for three years! But how much of that was Elijah’s prayer and how much of that was God’s sovereignty? Is there a passage in the Bible that provides some insight into the relationship between our prayer life and God’s will? My favorite scripture on this topic is from Genesis chapter 20. Remember the story? Abimelech had taken Abraham’s wife Sarah intending to marry her because he thought she was Abraham’s sister. God appears to Abimelech in a dream; and in doing so, gives us a glimpse into the relationship between believer’s prayer and God’s answers to prayer. God said to Abimelech:

“And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.”  Genesis 20:6-7

The point is that God knew Abraham would pray for Abimelech to live, but would not act and allow him to live until that occurred. How do we know that? Listen to what verse 17 of chapter 20 says:

“So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.” Genesis 20:17

God knew Abraham would pray, but did not initiate His sovereign will, until Abraham prayed.

What are you praying about? What have you given up praying about? Are you delaying answers to prayer because of your failure to pray? The Prophet Samuel said it is actually a sin for believers to not pray:

“God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you:” 1 Samuel 12:23

Is prayer important? Is there some urgency to pray for Christians? You decide.

THE INHERENCY OF GOD’S WORD

If you have ever read Genesis 18:17-18 and then scratched your head, join the group! If not, here is the passage I’m referencing:

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?” Genesis 18:17-18 KJV

This is commonly believed to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ to Abraham. The problem is, the Lord asked this critical question, but then the question is not answered and the text moves on to describe the faithfulness of Abraham. THE QUESTION IS NEVER ANSWERED! That always bothered me. Why was it there? God’s Word is perfect right? It just didn’t make any sense.

Then one day I was reading the book of John and I came across the passage in chapter 8 where Christ was having a back and forth with the Pharisees about who He was. Then Jesus makes this statement:

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” John 8:56 KJV

THERE IT IS! The answer to the question asked in Genesis 18 is answered by incarnate Christ! Not only validating the inherency of God’s Word, but further confirming the fact that from Genesis to Revelation the Bible is one work designed to reveal the magnificent plan of salvation to man.

The discovery of the connection of these two passages has been a game changer for me. I can only respond by echoing the words of Job in chapter 5:

“I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:” Job 5:8-9 KJV

I rang in the New Year for 2020 on the couch with a stomach virus. It was so severe even my dog Dixie came down with it! This episode was a staunch reminder of the delicate balance between physical health and sickness. Our bodies like the universe around us are held in beautiful orchestration by our Savior. As the Apostle Paul wrote: “and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” Let’s begin the new decade echoing the thoughts of King David in Psalm 139: 14-17.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!

SELAH