Greater Purpose

"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

His life consisted of one injustice after another.  First, his father set him up as a target for all the brothers to hate by declaring him the favorite child and giving him a special garment to wear.  While he appreciated the favor of his dad, he didn't like the treatment that followed.  Then, because of their hatred toward their little brother, the older siblings threw him into a dried-out well after rejecting their initial idea to kill him in cold blood.  When a caravan of traders happened by, they saw it as their opportunity to get rid of the little brat once and for all.  Soon, Joseph found himself as a slave on the way to Egypt.

As if all that weren't enough, he was later falsely accused of rape by the wife of his master, resulting in a prison sentence.  Even more maddening was the fact that an opportunity for freedom passed him by when the fellow-prisoner whose dream he successfully interpreted forgot to put in a good word for him once he was released.  Therefore, Joseph languished in prison for a couple more years.

After all those incidents of mistreatment and injustice, Joseph had a right to be angry.  There is not a person who ever lived who would fault him for feeling violated and seeking retribution for those lost years.  But Joseph seemed to understand the sovereignty of God.  Instead of looking at the unfairness of it all, he was able to perceive that something bigger was in the works.  Through the 13 years in which he suffered at the hands of many, withstanding treatment he didn't deserve, he learned to see the greater purpose of God.

Judgment

Outrage rose like a wave stirred up by an angry hurricane.  People looked at the news that was presented and listened to the pundits who capitalized on the sentencing to promote themselves and easily agreed there was something evil afoot.  While the members of the jury possessed all the facts with which to come to a verdict, those on the outside who so easily condemned only knew what news producers wanted them to hear.  While those on the outside of the case were quick to condemn, those on the inside knew it wasn't quite as simple as it was being portrayed.

It's easy for me to think I know what people deserve for their actions.  I observe an injustice that provokes feelings of empathy for the victim, and I'm ready to send the offender to the electric chair.  Fortunately, judgment belongs to God who is perfectly just and fair.  

If I can keep this truth in mind and leave justice in His hands, I can live at peace with others even when I feel violated or detect injustice done to another.  (Romans 12:17-19)  If I'm only focused on the perceived injustice, however, I will never feel satisfied with any outcome.  There will always be unfairness to be found.

Rightfully leaving the act of judging what each act deserves in the hands of God, whether it be a serious crime or a petty deed, takes away the temptation to solve the problem myself.  So, when I feel violated by unfair treatment, I can trust God that He will not only protect me but also handle any punitive action that needs to be taken.  Instead of living my life with the focus of attempting to protect myself, then, I can pay more attention to my relationship with the Lord and letting Him love others through me wherever I go.

When I remember that judgment belongs to God, I am free to live in peace as a rightly related daughter of the Judge.

Intention

I don't like to watch those television shows that depict the injustices done to animals.  Those programs brings out such feelings of anger against the perpetrators of abuse and neglect that I build up a desire to see them suffer in the same way they have caused misery in the lives of their pets.

God, however, does not carry this same objective as He observes suffering.  Instead, His intention is to bring glory and honor to His name.  While I am only concerned with getting back at those who hurt me or the vulnerable, God has a higher goal.

When it seems to me that people are getting away with evil behavior, I can rest assured that God is working things in a way that will lift His name on high.  When I only perceive distress, God knows how He will work the crisis into something that will draw attention to His goodness.  When I merely notice the darkness, God's light illuminates His grand design.

When I remember that God's intention is to bring glory to Himself, I am free to trust Him as He works all things to that end.

Salvation

Their situation seemed hopeless.  Their once autonomous kingdom became a mere acquisition in the hands of a ruthless emperor.  The invader's way of life seeped into their beloved culture, tainting it's distinctive qualities to the point of contamination.  They needed a leader to rise up and lead a rebellion against these foreign conquerors.  Who would save them from this oppression?

The Jewish people were looking for a political king to rescue them from the iron fist of the Romans.  God, however, had another plan.  His strategy was to send His precious Son to offer Himself as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind.  Thus, the image-bearers would be saved from eternal damnation, not necessarily their current living conditions.

There is no way for me to be able to comprehend how God will bring about salvation.  His mind thinks much differently than my puny psyche, so it is best if I leave the saving to Him.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

When I think I need to be rescued from the oppression of a cold-hearted husband, God may have a plan to use my witness to win my mate over. (1 Peter 3:1-2)  When I think something needs to be done to quickly get rid of the debt that weighs my family down, God may have a plan to use the time of struggle to teach us how to completely rely on Him to provide for our needs. (Matthew 6:32-33)  When I think my salvation may come from the left, God may send rescue from the right so I'd better be ready for anything.

When I remember that God will bring about salvation in the way and time that He sees fit, I am free to live securely as a child whose Father will do whatever it takes to save His family.

Joseph seemed to understand the sovereignty of God.  He realized that the Lord is the only one who sits in the seat of judgment, intends to bring glory to His own name, and knows the way in which salvation will come.  When I desire to see how much God is in control as Joseph did, I will be able to live a life of true freedom as I walk in the shadow of His wings, looking for His greater purpose.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will leave judgment to the Lord.

How do I forget that God's ways are so much higher than mine and expect God to follow my lead?

When am I oblivious to how God is working things out all around me because I'm facing the wrong direction?

Answers from Jesus

"On hearing this,

Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction,

he sent him to Herod,

who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased,

because for a long time he had been wanting to see him.

From what he had heard about him,

he hoped to see him perform some miracle.

He plied him with many questions,

but Jesus gave him no answer.

The chief priests and the teachers of the law

were standing there, vehemently accusing him.

Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.

Dressing him in an elegant robe,

they sent him back to Pilate.

That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies."

Luke 23:6-12

Sheep are docile and compliant creatures, making them excellent specimen for domestication.     Instinctively, sheep flock together, creating the ideal conditions for herding.  Food is a great motivator for sheep: they'll willingly follow a bucket of grain in the hands of a human in order to receive the reward of a snack.  

When its time to shear sheep, or give them a haircut, the animal is like putty in the handler's hands.  The creature lays their submissively as the farmer flips her over, this way and that, until all the wool is trimmed off with a pair of electric clippers.

Jesus was said to be, ". . . oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)  Jesus compliantly and willingly obeyed His Father's desires.  He knew the plan of salvation for all of mankind included His death on the cross, so He voluntarily accepted His role without complaint or even a word uttered in His own defense.  His innocence mattered not.  God's will is what counted.

As one who has committed my life to Jesus, I am to follow suit.  He knows my heart and perceives the motivation of my thoughts, deeds and words.  If I want to get answers from Jesus, I must not approach Him as Herod did: curious and only concerned with satisfying my own inquisitiveness.  Instead, I can only expect a response if I maintain a genuine desire to repent of my sinful ways and follow Him wholeheartedly.

Sincerity

I always thought it would have been really cool to witness the first miracle that Jesus performed: turning water into wine.  I imagine what it would have been like to see first hand as the scientifically impossible happened, and the servants tried to suppress their surprise.  

His miracle almost reminds me of a magic trick performed as a part of an illusionist's show.  Slight of hand and trickery results in the amazement of the crowd as a rabbit unexpectedly appears, or money borrowed from an audience member vanishes into thin air.  There is no doubt about it, these shows are entertaining.

But Jesus doesn't perform miracles to entertain or amaze the audience.  Instead, He is only revealing a glimpse of His true identity.  After awhile, His followers began to realize that only God could dispense the kind of power it took to heal and create wonders.

Following Jesus only to experience His power in my life is missing the point.  Instead, it should be my desire to know Jesus intimately, not just to witness a miracle or two.  It's easy to get into the pattern of wanting to know what He has done for me lately.  Instead of seeking to understand His ways and grasp His great love, I tend to desire something more selfish.  I want delivery from my troubles, to feel loved and happy, or to experience His power as He works through me.

I remember one of my friends in 7th grade owned a couple of all-terrain vehicles.  We spent hours riding around on trails through the wilderness surrounding her home.  One day she said, "I think you only like me for my three-wheelers."  It was then that I knew I had crossed the line.  I was valuing what I could get out of my friend more than I treasured her.  Nobody wants to feel used.

It's the same with Jesus: All He really wants is for me to desire Him.  There is nothing more that I need.

If I want Jesus to reveal more about Himself to me, I must come to Him sincerely.

Intention

One question any father should ask a potential suitor for his daughter is, "What are your intentions?"  If the young man can answer in such a way as to show his respect for the young lady and that his values reflect those taught in the Bible, then he may have the opportunity to get past the dad.  However, if it's clear that his only goal is to have fun and enjoy a good time, the boy has no chance.

Having a plan is good.  Knowing what that plan is and keeping it always before me is even better.  

Jesus offers many good things: Salvation from eternal death, life abundant and everlasting, a relationship with my Creator, freedom from condemnation and liberty to live authentically.  If my only intention is to gather these benefits for myself, I will never get to know Jesus better.

Instead, I will need to adopt an attitude of repentance and a willingness to change.  Once I accept Jesus as my Savior, I receive all of the above.  After that, though, it's up to me to keep moving toward Him, adopting disciplines like regular prayer and study of His Word.  If my objective is to make less of me so there's more of Him, then I will observe fruit in my life.  If, however, my objective is to continue to live my life in the way I've grown accustomed, I have no hope of ever experiencing greater intimacy with Jesus.

If I want Jesus to reveal more of Himself to me, my intentions must be to repent of my old ways and adopt His ways.

Faith

Hebrews 11 is sometimes labeled the "Hall of Fame of Faith."  Listed on those hallowed pages are the names of men and women who trusted God despite what they saw with their own eyes, heard for themselves and felt to the depth of their souls.  These saints obeyed when it didn't make sense.  They trusted more in the God who created them than in what their logic, good judgement and common sense was telling them.

In order for me to grow in my faith, I have to practice using my faith.  It's similar to my muscles.  If I want them to get stronger, or at least avoid atrophy, I will need to exercise them on a regular basis.  Talking about working out, reading tutorials on how to train and getting familiar with the gym will not accomplish anything in the way of improving my fitness levels.  If I want to get stronger and healthier, I'll need to actually do the exercises.

It's the same with faith.  I can't just talk, read and think about it.  I have to do it!

This means that when I see my money dwindling down at the end of the month, I can trust God to provide and set my worries behind me.  Thinking of God as my Father who will provide what I need without question helps me to go about my day with confidence. (Matthew 6:32)

When the tests come back positive, I can trust God as the giver of life, knowing that He has my best interest at heart.  I can believe without a doubt that good will come out of the days that lie ahead. (Romans 8:28) I can rest in the shadow of His wings. (Psalm 17:8)

When I feel like I can't go on another day, I can trust God to give me the strength to do what I am unable to do.  (Philippians 4:13)

Putting my faith in God demonstrates my love for Him much more than words ever could.

If I want Jesus to reveal more of Himself to me, I must exercise my faith in Him.

Jesus stays silent as a sheep before the sheerer unless He knows the sincerity, intention, and faith of the petitioner.  When I desire Jesus, not just His work in my life; honestly yearn for change; and trust Him enough to place all things in His hands, then He will answer my questions and become a friend.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can relate honestly with Jesus.

How do I desire fruit more than I want His presence in my life?

When am I spending time learning about faith but fail to exercise it?