The Scripture

Gen 35:22, Gen 37-39

The Scene

Joseph was the first born son of Jacob’s favorite wife Rachel.  Rachel prayed for a son, and while her sister, her sister’s maid, and her maid were all able to give Jacob sons, Rachel could not.  When God finally opened up her womb, it was an occasion to celebrate.  Joseph was that son.

As Joseph grew, his father favored him over all the others.  When he was a little older, Jacob made him a special coat.  This made the jealousy his brothers felt even stronger.  When the opportunity came, they planned to do away with him.  The original plan… throw him in a pit and let him die.  But then some merchants came along… plan 2, sell him as a slave. 

Off to Egypt he went as a slave.  Once in Egypt, the merchants sold him as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s army.  God was with Joseph in Potiphar’s house.  God made Potiphar prosper because of Joseph.  Potiphar put Joseph in charge of all of his house.  But, Potiphar’s wife decided she wanted him for more than just keeping the house clean.  When Joseph refused, she falsely accused him and he was thrown in prison.

The School Master

Psalm 105:17-19 “God had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; 19until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.

I have been meditating and thinking about these passages for a few weeks now.  The more I study the life of Joseph, the more I appreciate him and his example.  He is an amazing testimony of faith. 

Why did God choose Joseph and not one of his brothers, Judah for instance?  Judah was the oldest.  Why was he not the one that God chose to send ahead?  Then there’s Reuben.  He’s the one that planned to rescue Joseph rather than leave him to die.  He’s a nice guy, why didn’t God choose him? 

Take a look at Gen 35:22 and chapter 38.  I have wondered why those verses are recorded.  But when you look at it in light of what Joseph experienced with Potiphars wife, they take on more significance. 

God’s choice to send Joseph ahead meant slavery, Potiphar’s wife and prison for Joseph.  But, in God’s foreknowledge, He knew Joseph would have the faith to endure.  What would have happened had Reuben or Judah been in that situation? 

What does this say about God’s shepherding of our faith?  God knew that Joseph would endure.  God trusted Joseph with the challenge, because He knew Joseph would respond in faith.  God also knew this would build Joseph’s faith even more.  (Gen 45:5-7, Gen 50:20)

How do you view trials in your life?  God is the shepherd of our faith!  Just as in Joseph’s life, he desires to grow our faith.  He wants to trust us with challenges so that we can respond in faith, like Joseph did.  But, not everyone is up to the task.  What about you?  Are you up to the task?  Can God trust you with challenges and know that you will respond in faith?  How are you going to respond?  How deep is your faith? 

The Scripture:  Genesis 24

The Scene:

As I have read and meditated on this passage over the past few weeks, I have imagined Abraham and his servant sitting under a shade tree talking and reminiscing of their years together.  Here’s how I imagine the conversation going:

Abraham:  “You have been with me through the thick and thin.  I hope that you have learned a few things about the greatness of God through my mistakes.  I am getting old, and I’m not going to be around much longer.  You know, I wonder if there is something you could do for me.  I would really like to find a wife for young Isaac.  He has grown up so fast.  I never thought I would see this day.  God promised that I would become a great nation.  Remember how I doubted him.  I was such a fool.  I can’t believe that I actually thought that Sarai and I could help God out by providing a son our own way.  Oh how much we had to learn about trusting God!

Abraham continues:  “I don’t want Isaac to hook up with any of these local women.   I would really like for you to find a wife for him from my father’s family.”

The Servant:  “What if I find such a girl, who is to say that she is going to want to come live so far away from home?  Why don’t we just find a wife for him here?”

Abraham:  I know that God would have me to get a wife from my father’s family.  He can provide.  I wasn’t always confident that God would provide you know.  I was so fickle in my faith.  Remember the famine?  I was so scared that there wouldn’t be enough food for my family and all you servants.  So we went down to Egypt.  Remember what I did down there?  I had Sarai tell the king she was my sister.  God was so gracious to me.  Although I didn’t trust Him, He still took care of me. 

You think I would have learned.  But, remember Gerer and king Abimelech.  I can’t believe I used the same lie twice, and all along I am sure God was saying, “Just trust me.  I can take care of you.  I can provide.”  I am so dense sometimes and I have so much to learn.

I am sure that time on the mountain when God told me to sacrifice little Isaac was a test to prove my faith.  I wonder how many of these other events were placed in my path for the same purpose.  God is so gracious with me, and he has been so faithful to teach me how trustworthy He is. 

So my friend, this God, the one who took me from my father’s house and my native land, the one who has promised to give all of this land to my descendants, he will provide a wife for my son!  You can trust Him!

The School Master

Abraham is such a beautiful picture of you and I, isn’t he?  There were times when he unswervingly trusted God.  But there are also times of terrible failure.  It’s interesting to look back at the events that God recorded in Scripture for us.  Were there more?  God included the ones He wanted to make the point.  The great shepherd brought Abraham on a journey of faith.  In the end, we see a man who has unswerving confidence in God’s promise, in God’s care, and in God’s ability to do what He says!  Wow, that’s where He wants to bring all of us isn’t it! 

I wonder how often God allows / orchestrates events in our lives to hone our faith, to stretch us, to train us, to teach us to trust Him? 

The best part of this story is that the servant of Abraham gets it too.  He witnessed Abraham’s life, his journey, now his confidence in God… As a result, he is then also able to exercise the same kind of faith.  (Ps 69:32)  “The humble will see their God at work and be glad.  Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged”

I trust that as you learn to trust your Shepherd, that God will use your journey of faith to encourage others.

Dear faithful friends,

I was reminded the other day that I haven’t been giving family updates with my devotional writings.   I am now able to post both to this blog, as well as to the blog NTM has provided for us (www.ntm.org/david_watters) via email.   This is so convenient, but in the convenience, I haven’t been sending out any personal updates etc.   

So, I am sending this quick update to ask for prayer for a few things.  We sure appreciate everyone that stands with us in Prayer each day.  We couldn’t be out here without you all behind us!

1.        Tribal Supply:  Our main PNG helper has been out for more than a month now.  His daughter had surgery in the capital and he needed to be there to watch over her.  She is doing well, and recovering.  But that means that all of his work has fallen on Robin.  Since our replacement is not here yet either, Robin has been working a lot more than she would like.  So, please pray that our workers daughter (Ashley) will recover soon so he can come back to work.  Also, pray that our replacement will be able to get their paperwork (visa, entry permit etc) so they can come soon.  It would be really nice for Robin to be able to help me “orientate” the new folks.

2.      E2 (orientation):  E2 (the new term for orientation) is going well.  I have 2 couples and 3 singles that I am working with right now.  With school starting in another week, the 3 singles will have to resume their teaching responsibilities, so they will have to stop language learning.  But, then another family comes just after school starts.  I am really enjoying it, but since the program is not fully developed, I feel like I am about a day ahead of the people I am working with.  That makes things a bit interesting, especially if I have any other responsibilities that take up time.  I end up spending lots of time preparing and getting ready for class etc, during off hours.  It has made for some very long days.  Pray that I can get everything up and running well so I am not having to spend as much time prepping, and can focus on helping the new folks adjust and learning the national language. 

3.      As I mentioned in Number 1… we still have quite a few people who are waiting on visas etc.  Pray the government paperwork will go quickly so the ones who are waiting will be able to come quickly. 

Thanks so much for standing with us.  We are enjoying the ministry God has for us here.  You all are a valuable part of that!

David for all of us

The Scripture

Matt 8:18-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

The Scene

The disciples had been listening to Jesus teach the crowds.  He used many parables and stories to illustrate what He was trying to communicate.  At times the disciples had the privilege of being able to ask for deeper meaning, and Jesus graciously explained many things to them. 

After a series of such teaching, the disciples sat down near the shore while Jesus took care of some business.  As they sat, they reminisced over what they had witnessed and heard.  Jesus had been sowing God’s Word over and over.  But the religious leaders continually rejected the message.  This reminded them of the explanation Jesus gave for the parable of the seeds and the sewer.  Peter piped up and said, “These religious leaders are such hard and rocky ground.  The cares of this world, their agendas and titles, have choked out what Jesus is trying to tell them.”  John added, “It’s sad isn’t it.  They do have ears, but like Jesus said, they can’t hear.  They have eyes, but they can’t see!” 

Jesus interrupted their discussion.  “OK boys, I need a break, and some rest.  Let’s get away from the crowds for a few days.  I have arranged a boat for us to cross over to the other side of the Lake.  I can get some rest on the way over.”

They all climbed aboard the boat and headed for the other side.  Jesus went to the back of the boat and lay down.  It wasn’t long and he was fast asleep. 

While they were in the middle of the sea, a great storm rose up and seemed as if it was going to swallow them right up. The winds were furious.  The waves were crashing over bow and into the boat.  Although veterans of the sea, this was one of the worst they had faced.  After struggling for some time, they began to panic. 

“What are we going to do,” one of them yelled?”  “We can’t ride it out.  We are going to go down!  The wind and the waves are just too strong.” 

“Where’s Jesus?” one of them asked.  “He’s still back there sleeping.”   Another added.  “Get him up, doesn’t he care that we are all going to drown out here?”  said another.

When awakened, Jesus calmed the sea and then rebuked the disciples’ faith.

The School Master

I often wonder if God enjoys putting us into situations just to see how we will respond.  The disciples responded so much like we would, didn’t they?  They were just talking about the religious leaders and how these guys had ears but weren’t listening, and eyes, but they couldn’t see what Jesus was telling them.  Yet, when their faith was put to the test and they needed to apply the truth of what they knew, they failed! 

“Where is your faith?” Jesus asked.  He could have said, “Do you still have no faith?  Have I been teaching you all for nothing too, just like the religious leaders?”  Jesus didn’t say that, however.  He is much more gracious then we would be.  But I have to wonder why Jesus let the storm come up in the first place.  Certainly, if He could rebuke the winds and waves, he could have prevented them in the first place.  Then why go through it? 

The more I study God’s shepherding care of us, the more I am convinced he allows us to face the storms to build our faith! 

As you face life today, I am praying that you will look at life as an opportunity for God to build your faith rather than.  Use your ears to hear and you eyes to see what God has to say to you today!