I've been doing a Bible study by The Bible Study in Stereo on Psalm 1 and Psalm 103. Basically it's a deep meditation on these passages along with a cd of the verses put into song for easy memorization. One day during the study, the author had us read Genesis 39 to learn about Joseph. Joseph followed the LORD, but he suffered greatly. He was sold by his brothers to be a slave in Egypt. While in Egypt he enjoyed prosperity until he was falsely accused and put into prison. I imagine the conditions of the Ancient Egyptian prisons were quite awful.
"And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison." (vs. 20)
but what hit me is what is said next:
"But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison." (vs. 21)
In prison, in Joseph's suffering, in one of his darkest hours, God was with him and was showing him steadfast love. It could be asked, where was God when Joseph was falsely accused? Why did God let him even go to prison. He could have stopped it. But God had a higher purpose. God used Joseph's time in prison to orchestrate a meeting with a certain cupbearer, who would later remember Joseph in God's perfect time which resulted in Joseph being released from prison (actually, Gen 41:14 calls it "the pit"), so that Joseph could ultimately be used by God to save many people from starvation, and encourage the multitudes down through the ages with his story.
On my bad, painful days, when every muscle hurts and I feel like I've been run over by a truck, God has been bringing these verses back to my mind. Yes, I hurt and wish so badly that I didn't, but God is still showing me His steadfast love. He could have stopped me from getting sick. He could heal me by simply a thought or a word. But I have to trust that He has a higher purpose for this pain. He will not waste it. And in the midst of it, He is showing me His steadfast love. Even when it doesn't feel like it, when every ache shouts doubtful thoughts of His love, I can make the choice to believe that all of this is part of His loving plan for me and for others around me.
Psalm 103 starts out by saying, "Bless the LORD, O my soul..." and in verse 4, "who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy." As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am crowned with steadfast love. I like to close my eyes and picture in my mind a sparkly crown swirling around my head covering me with love. His love. for me. I want to bask in it, to soak it in. Yes, I am blessed.
LORD,
Thank You for showing me Your steadfast love. I believe all Your intentions toward me are good and full of Your love. Open my eyes to see this pain through Your eyes.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
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