I was thinking this morning of something Sal shared in fellowship last night about challanges. Challanges will make you stronger, this is a good thing. Without the challange who would need God? So not only do we get stronger, we get to see the one who chose us to be His children to represent him today to the world. Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and PROVE me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Without the challange, we could not PROVE God. RISE UP O MEN OF GOD ! WE ARE LIVING THE BOOK OF ACTS IN THIS DAY AND TIME. NOW IS YOUR HOUR; DONT WASTE IT! From Christian Family Fellowship Internet Newsletter 11/8/13 SOUNDING OUT: Providence or Coincidence? One of my favorite quotes from an unknown source is: “Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.” Indeed providence may often be seen cloaked in coincidence. Both Joseph and Esther illustrate how God’s will can be found in confusing, and even contrary circumstances. Their stories highlight that our journey may not always be easy or problem-free. Why would we be called more than conquerors if we had nothing to conquer. Jesus assured the twelve that they would be truly recompensed for anything they sacrificed for the gospel’s sake (Mark 10:29,30), also promising them similar persecution to that which he endured (John 15:20.) Paul promised God’s children (heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ) the same recompense saying that if they suffer with him, that they would be also glorified together (Romans 8:17). Paul also prepared Timothy for the persecution he would face confirming the sentiment with, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12). Throughout his writings, it becomes evident that Paul sees blessing and hardship, good and bad occurrences as part of a process (II Timothy 2:3). As Jesus learned obedience in the things he endured (Hebrews 5:8) so did Paul (Philippians 4:12). His list of learning activities are not always sought out by those of us who are encouraged to follow him II Corinthians 11:23-28; I Corinthians 4:16; 11:1). However in what ever state he found himself he spoke the Word and furthered the gospel learning patience, developing perseverance, and realizing strength he did not know he had (II Corinthians 12:7-10). Indeed he longed to know Christ and “the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings.” He always looked for the good God was working (Romans 8:28). Does God make bad things happen? No, I don’t think so. Jesus said, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34). Evil things happen as a result of our living in a “fallen” world. However we do not need to be beaten by them. We can be more than conquerors. If we engage, we can overcome. Romans 5:1-5: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Let’s develop the attitude to glory or rejoice in our sufferings. Let them produce perseverance, character and hope. Let’s expect God to make something good in the midst of bad and find the strength to endure. We do right regardless of what others think or do, even when it’s difficult to tell whether it’s paying off or not, then we will be strong. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) is a prime example. He was favored by his father and by God, but his favored position and youthful indiscretion was met by jealously from his brothers and even irritation from his father. Joseph was thrown into a well. His brethren intended to murder him, but rather sold him into slavery as a compromise. He was taken by slave caravan to Egypt and sold again to the house of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Joseph excelled as Potiphar’s household administrator. In the process, he unintentionally attracted the attention and interest of Potiphar’s wife, is accused of a crime he did not commit and goes to jail. In prison, Joseph continued to make the best of a bad situation; fully illustrating how hardship makes some people bitter, others better. He became administrator of the prison he was confined in, and as a result of his dream interpreting and practical advice he was rewarded. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and saved the nation of Egypt. He then received a position of power subservient only to Pharaoh himself and as a result was in a position to save his own family and consequently the entire nation of Israel. Genesis 45:5 & 7,50:19 illustrate the extent to which Joseph had placed his trust in God and accepted his Lord’s timing in working all things for good. Upon revealing himself to his brothers as not only the second most powerful man in all Egypt but also their long-lost brother, they became a bit concerned about what kind of punishment this man intended for them. He reassured them by saying, “…do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” His strength was in his trust in God to make good from bad. In the end he could say to those responsible, “Don’t be afraid… You intended me harm but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:19). Was what happened to Joseph providence or coincidence? Esther’s story is recorded in the book bearing her name. She was an orphaned Jewish maiden being raised by an uncle. They had been uprooted by the conquerors of Israel and driven to a foreign land in defeat. She ends up as part of King Xerxes harem. Chosen for her beauty, she is expected to be honored by this selection and later becomes his queen. Her family history is tragic, her losses great, yet her position as a harem girl might be considered better by some than a transplanted refugee but certainly against accepted Jewish morals. Later then, as queen she was able to become the instrument through which God worked to save King Xerxes’ life (with the help of Mordecai, Esther’s uncle) and to save the nation of Israel throughout the empire; as Haman, a bigoted, pride-filled, hateful man planned to destroy them in his assent to higher political power in Persia’s government. As Haman’s spiteful plot began to take shape, her Uncle Mordecai requested she go to the king. But to go before the king un-announced could be dangerous. If he did not want to see you or hear your petition, you could be executed for intruding on his time. She hesitated reluctant to put herself in harms way. Esther sent word to Mordecai that she had not seen the King in thirty days, (he must have been a busy man) and that she feared the punishment for interruption. Mordecai counseled her, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?� �� (Esther 4:12,13,14) I don’t think God orchestrated every detail of Esther’s life, but we certainly see His hand in many of them. God made her able and she made herself available. She acted and God did exceeding abundantly above all that she could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Joseph and Esther certainly had days of need, want and uncertainty. They may not have understood everything that was going on, but they learned to rely on God and trust Him to come through in the end. They may not have always felt secure, but they were faithful. Who’d have thought a nomad would rise to such power and privilege in Egypt? But look at the path he took to get there. Who’d have thought a young Jewish girl could become queen of the country that had so recently conquered her people. We see the clothes, the jewels, the servants, the power; but consider the road she traveled first to get to that point. When troubling times come our way, we should remember Joseph and Esther. What we are experiencing now may just be the tip of an iceberg of joy and blessing. We may be being prepared for a difficult yet rewarding task through testing, training and discipline. I like to close with Fred Prince’s encouraging words: “I’m not saying you must be ecstatic over a perceived hardship but I am encouraging you to keep your head up and to keep doing what you know to be right. The only way to see the beautiful view from the top of the mountain is to climb the steep and rocky sides first! You can do it and as you make yourself available to God, you will.” Remember providence is often cloaked in coincidence. Let’s look through the turmoil and see the triumph.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 15:35:09 +0000
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