Tag Archives: Real Faith

Faith Isn’t Arm-wrestling??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 20

14 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Faith, Faithful, Faithful Follower, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Press ON!

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 20 Faith Isn’t Arm-wrestling???

We live in a culture that tries to reinvent ‘faith’.  And while “Faith Isn’t Arm-wrestling” with God, there are those who equate faith with speaking our will into existence–with or without any regard for God, His Word, or His will.  Then there are those who say all we have to do is think positive and it will happen–kind of ‘cartoon’ mentality!  Then there is the mindset of “chase ‘your’ dreams”, and you will attain them; and the “pray harder” theology.  Well, I’d like us to take a look at what I believe to be a biblical view of faith (and praying in faith).

“Now faith is

the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen…

… 3 Through faith

we understand that the worlds were framed

by the word of God,

so that things which are seen were not made

of things which do appear…

….5 By faith

Enoch was translated

that he should not see death;

and was not found,

because God had translated him:

for before his translation

he had this testimony,

that he pleased God.

6 But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”                            Portions of Hebrews 11:1-6

Let’s consider this powerful passage, part of the often called, “Chapter/Hall of Faith”, and see what scripture clearly tells us about faith. The word “substance” in verse one, among other things, means a firm assurance or confidence; kind of like the confidence and assurance one places in a lifesaver that is thrown out to save them from drowning in the ocean.  Jesus is our literal ‘lifesaver’, THE “life-saver” who paid for our sin that we might be saved from sin, hell, and eternal death at Calvary! And the word “evidence” means just that, but much more, to quote the Greek Word Study Dictionary, by Spiros Zodhiates, “implies not merely the charge on the which one is convicted, but also the manifestation of the truth of that charge…”! Hence telling us that faith is real because God has proven Himself faithful at every turn.  He has kept HIS Word and He has fulfilled HIS promises to date (and the ones still pending will come to fulfillment just as surely!)!  The author of Hebrews assures us that our faith helps us to understand God’s truth as creator, as well as redeemer; and that without faith, no matter how “outwardly good” we may appear to others, we cannot please God without faith!  Not just meaningless words, but a true and confident belief that “he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”!

Did you notice that it’s not just simply speaking words but a belief in who God is, and HE knows who is “diligently” seeking HIM!  Are we seeking God, or just wanting to convince HIM to do our will, to meet our demands, and make us “happy”!  Let me assure you, God is more concerned with our “holiness” than our “happiness”, considering that “happiness” regards our circumstances not our character.  Paul tells us in Romans what God is working toward!

“And we know that all things

work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30

 God’s purpose is that we will “be conformed to the image of his Son”!  He isn’t as concerned about our comfort, as He is about our conformity to the “image of his Son”!  If I may, God wants us to reflect the glory of JESUS, not the popularity of the world!  Our payday (reward) isn’t usually here, it is yet to come!

Jesus makes it very simple and clear what our focus is to be–in our life, in our prayers, and in our choices.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Are you and I ready to seek God’s will and God’s kingdom to come within us and be reflected outwardly to a lost and dying world who needs Jesus?  Am I willing to forgo my own desires to pursue HIS?

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

 God also has promised us who have received the new birth in Jesus, that His Holy Spirit will interceded for us when we don’t know what to pray for, and those times when we just can’t find words or wisdom.

“My brethren, count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience

have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect and entire,

wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.”  James 1:2-6

Our great comforter is ever working in, through and for us; and when James speaks of “want” he isn’t speaking of our fleshly desires but God’s work and provision to bring us to maturity and glory in HIS presence as HE works in and through us.  James wants us to understand that real faith stands fast in WHO God IS, not just what He does!  Yet, there’s more!

“Likewise the Spirit also

helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not

what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.”  Romans 8:26-27

What amazing promises, not so that we can twist God’s arm to get what we want, but that we can be in perfect harmony with our Lord Jesus as we pray, seeking HIS “kingdom” and HIS “will” to come in our hearts, our lives, our ministries, our families, and our testimony before this lost and dying world.  They don’t need our boasts of our own power, but the confidence in a God who is “good all the time” for “all the time GOD IS GOOD”!

We all have times when we are confused, but often our confusion comes when we have failed to seek God first!  I know I ‘wrestle’ with this continually.  So often the demands, pressures, physical issues, emotional hurts, and just LIFE gets between us and God.  That is when we must, I repeat–we MUST–turn to God and HIS Word to find our lodestar again!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth

for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist

stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

Praise God for HIS gracious care toward us, and may we pursue HIS will, rather than dictate to HIM!

“Ask,

and it shall be given you;

seek,

and ye shall find;

knock,

and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh

receiveth;

and he that seeketh

findeth;

and to him that knocketh

it shall be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8

 Notice that Jesus said to ask, seek and knock to receive, find, and have doors opened (in HIS time); He did NOT say “demand”, “decide for yourself”, or “push the door down”!  And if we back up to chapter 6, we’ll see the context of truth that we can’t overlook.

“But seek ye first

the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things

shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought

for the morrow:

for the morrow

shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day

is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-34

 We are to pursue God and “his righteousness” and rest in His faithful provision for us; knowing that He has called us to be faithful fathers and mothers, faithful employees, faithful students, pastors, wives, husbands, caregivers, cooks…we could go on, but I think you get the picture, for our call is to take in the ‘whole counsel of God’ (The Bible–all of it) which calls us to be a reflection of HIS faithfulness in all we do, not just our ‘religious’ activity!  It’s one of the reasons that I believe we have become so powerless in our churches; we have chosen busy-ness rather than faithful holiness; we have compromised in almost every area of Holy living, to be popular and ‘fit in’!  Well, my friends I choose Jesus!  How about you?

I close with one of the most powerful, but often written off to children’s verses or funeral passages, scriptures that help us know that we can rely upon our God.  We aren’t to arm-wrestle with our God but love and devote our lives to trust in HIS care!

“The LORD is

my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth

my soul:

he leadeth me

in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod

and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table

before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head

with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

Is HE your shepherd?  I pray that God’s Word will direct, comfort, and encourage your heart today!  Blessings on your day–

Amen and Amen!!!

Living In Faith Or Presumption??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #639

01 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Presumption, Speaking The Truth In Love, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #639 Living In Faith Or Presumption???

 

There are a lot of issues floating around in this time of crises and chaos in our world.  We are seeing emotions flare, ideas in conflict, and opinions flying around in abundance.  I have only a few words to share this morning in this regard.  There are those who are claiming to disregard the requests and orders of government officials stating that they are violating their “rights” and are gathering, flaunting their confidence in “God” to deliver them, or protect them from the virus.  It is polarizing people of faith—that is the issue that I wish to comment on this morning.  Is there a difference between standing in faith in God and acting in presumption toward God?  I believe that Scripture gives us clear guidelines in this regard if we will but let them speak and then heed God’s direction.  I share The Word; you will have to decide for yourself what you will do with it.

With that said, I would like to add that being the church is our call, more so than ‘going’ to church. (And I believe that church attendance is a priority, but it is not the do-all, be-all of deciding how to be an affective witness of God’s truth before a lost and dying world.)

“Let every soul be subject 

unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power 

but of God: 

the powers that be 

are ordained of God. 

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, 

resisteth the ordinance of God: 

and they that resist 

shall receive to themselves damnation. 

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, 

but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid 

of the power? 

do that which is good, 

and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

4 For he is the minister of God 

to thee 

for good. 

But if thou do that which is evil, 

be afraid; 

for he beareth not the sword in vain: 

for he is the minister of God, 

a revenger to execute wrath 

upon him that doeth evil. 

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, 

not only for wrath, 

but also for conscience sake. 

6 For for this cause 

pay ye tribute also: 

for they are God’s ministers, 

attending continually 

upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore

to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”   Romans 13:1-8

Paul makes it so clear that we are to be honorable citizens to the government powers and subject ourselves to them (and remember that when Paul wrote the commands above the Roman government was not friendly toward ‘Christians’!) unless the commands directly violate The Word of God!

Jesus Himself gives us the greatest instruction and example in regard to presumption in all of scripture.  I simply ask that you consider what He is saying—and while He was speaking to Satan, He had it recorded for us!  I would encourage you to read the entire passage and consider the three things that Satan tempted Jesus to do; meet His own needs outside of God’s will and timing, to tempt God and His Word; and to worship anyone or anything other than GOD!  And remember, Satan used “The Word” to tempt, but Jesus used “The Word” ‘in context’ to refute him!

“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,

and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him,

If thou be the Son of God,

cast thyself down:

for it is written,

He shall give his angels

charge concerning thee:

and in their hands

they shall bear thee up,

lest at any time

thou dash thy foot

against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him,

It is written again,

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”   Matthew 4:5-7

And just a note, tempting God with His own Word, is still tempting God.  You decide, are you walking and living in faith “IN GOD” (not in your own faith or interpretation of it) or are you being presumptuous toward God, His Will and His Word?  I’m praying that we will hear HIM and not our flesh or the flesh of others!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Faith That Works??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #517

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Follow Jesus, Freedom To Or From?, Trust God, Truth is True, Work

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #517  Faith That Works???

 

“But without faith

it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”    Hebrews 11:6

“Now faith is

the substance of things

hoped for,

the evidence of things

not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

These are two of the quintessential passages about faith in all of scripture, helping us understand that faith isn’t an ethereal, unreal thing but truth that we haven’t seen or perceived with our physical eyes yet! Our faith and hope reveal that our trust in is secure and sure, for it is God in whom we have placed our faith. And having trusted Him through our Lord Jesus Christ, we can look forward to the things that HE has promised. Paul speaks of this assurance and hope in Romans 8, and when he speaks of hope he is referring to our confidence in God’s promises, His ability, and the surety of His ever-faithful deliverance of HIS own!

“And not only they, but ourselves also,

which have the firstfruits

of the Spirit,

even we ourselves

groan within ourselves,

waiting for the adoption,

to wit,

the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope:

but hope that is seen is not hope:

for what a man seeth,

why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.”  Romans 8:23-25

So what about your faith and mine? Are we walking by faith in Jesus, or by sight? Much of the “name-it-and-claim-it” theology seems to focus our hope on being in this present world, and fulfilling our fleshly lusts rather than living for Jesus and looking for our reward with HIM. Trusting HIM to meet our physical needs in His will and His time. Remember what Jesus said, “Give us THIS day our daily bread”! And Paul told Timothy about keeping his “desires” in check: “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (Be sure and check out the context of 1 Timothy 6:8).

Faith is holding on to Jesus, not abstract mental assent, but having confidence in The One who saves and delivers. Holing on to Jesus as to a ‘life preserver’ in a sea of sin and darkness. Holding on to that “shield of faith” that we will be able to utilize it in our daily battles (and we are in a warfare, see Ephesians 2:10-18)—and to utilize a shield you must have a firm grip on the shield itself with complete confidence in it’s ability to protect and deliver! Doing HIS work in the midst of a dark, hostile world that most often doesn’t want to see the light. Even as Jesus Himself said, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (from John 3:19, and see 1 John to see more about the ‘light’)—our faith is from the light, and will grow us in the light when we yield to the Spirit’s leading in our lives—but only for those who have genuine faith. But what is genuine? W. E. Vine, in the “Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” gives the most succinct definition of faith that I have found:

“The main elements in ‘faith’ in its relation to the invisible God, as distinct from ‘faith’ in man, are especially brought out in the use of this noun (Greek pistis, as described on page 222, under “faith”) and the corresponding verb, pisteuo; they are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgment of God’s revelation or truth,….(2) a personal surrender to Him…..(3) a conduct inspired by such surrender… Prominence is given to one or other of these elements according to the context (of the passages listed which I haven’t included here for time and space sake). All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good “faith” without necessary reference to its proof.”

It is sad that people become confused and think that Paul says we are saved by faith not works—which is true—but they often misunderstand what James says about works. It’s like the proverb of the blind men describing an elephant as they grasp only one part of his anatomy, without seeing the “whole” context! We need to understand that real faith works—recognizing that real faith is in God, not self, dead works, wealth/poverty (and either/both can be consumed with greed!), or religion—when we know Jesus, The One who has called us to Himself, by His own blood!

James describes one who “says” he has faith, and Paul talks about “vain” faith—each one describing those who have lip service with no outward evidence of God’s presence and work. It’s what Paul reminded the Philippians of:

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear

and trembling.

13 For it is God

which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:12-13

Paul didn’t say that we work “for” our salvation—but by faith we are to work “out” what God has put in! And my friends, when we belong to Jesus, it is because of the work that HE does in us; working it out in our daily living, so that others see Jesus in us! “Working out” our spiritual muscles with more passion and devotion than athletes do their physical bodies. I pray right now, that Jesus will help us to see that real “faith”, is dependence on HIM in every area of our lives; yielding to HIM; knowing HIM more each day; walking with HIM in every circumstance—the good, the bad, and the ugly! May we yield to Jesus’ HIS work in us—to a desperate world!

So my friends, I am praying that you/I examine our hearts, even as the Psalmist cried out to God, letting God do His perfect work of grace in me/you today—every day!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen!!!

Real People Of Faith??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 10

28 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by in Approved Unto God, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 10   Real People Of Faith???

 

What is “real” faith? I want us to examine that question in light of scripture. Is real faith simply being giddy all the time, with no problems, being as the old proverb says, “healthy, wealthy and wise”! Or does real faith turn to God for the answers? That’s what I want us to spend our time doing today. I would like to start in a place that many turn to when they talk of faith, but with a twist that many miss.

“Now faith is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence

of things not seen…..

5 By faith Enoch was translated

that he should not see death;

and was not found,

because God had translated him:

for before his translation he had this testimony,

that he pleased God

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him.”    Hebrews 11:1 & 5-6

We must believe “that he is”, that HE is The Almighty God who created “all things” and that He not only created us, but has provided for our redemption because man chose to sin rather than obey and trust God. Faith is placing our confidence and future in God’s hands, based on the cross of Jesus and His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (paying a debt He didn’t owe, because I owed a debt I couldn’t pay apart from death and hell), sacrifice (giving up Himself for me, even though I was unworthy!) for MY sin. Paul describes this so aptly as he wrote to the Roman believers.

“For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love

toward us,

in that, while

we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Christ died for me/you—and HE is what/who our faith is in. Faith is only as good as the object in which it is placed—and Jesus is the only place where saving faith rests.

As we see in the first part of Hebrews 11, faith is having our heart and mind set on Jesus! Yet so many take the examples that are shared in this chapter, and conclude that all who have “faith” will be prosperous. But when they make this claim, it is evident that they have missed the last part of the chapter! Faith doesn’t mean that we will have a life of ease and/or prosperity, but it does mean that whatever we face, pleasant or unpleasant, our confidence is always in our God and His faithful promises, for our God is ever faithful.

“In hope of eternal life,

which God,

that cannot lie,

promised before the world began;”    Titus 1:2

God didn’t lie to those who suffered in the past, and He hasn’t lied to us when suffering comes, for He is working a great work of power, grace and spiritual maturity in us.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness

with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs

of God,

and joint-heirs

with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings

of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory

which shall be revealed

in us.

19 For the earnest expectation

of the creature

waiteth for the manifestation

of the sons of God.” Romans 8:16-19

Did you see verse 18—“the sufferings of this present time”? We will experience suffering in this life, but don’t miss the wonder of the “sufferings”—“the glory which shall be revealed in us”! Our faithfulness to God as we undergo suffering and trials, will reveal His glory “IN US”—the “sufferings” of this life reveal HIS glory ‘in us’ both when we are with HIM, and for others to observe in us today! Since Jesus suffered as the perfect God-Man, Son of God, why would we think that being HIS follower and servant would be any different in the world that seems to hate God more every day; and they certainly don’t want to hear truth, even as Jesus said:

“And ye shall be hated

of all men

for my name’s sake:

but he that endureth to the end

shall be saved.

23 But when they persecute you in this city,

flee ye into another:

for verily I say unto you,

Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel,

till the Son of man be come.

24 The disciple is not above

his master,

nor the servant above

his lord.” Matthew 10:22-24

So how are we to walk? By faith which is seen in our devoted obedience to God. Let’s look at a few faithful servants of God from scripture, and see what kind of things they endured. I would like to begin our study by looking at two young men from the Old Testament, who have nothing negative recoded about their character.

Without going into the detail of Joseph’s story, I just want to hit the highlights due to time and space. Joseph was the next to the youngest son of Jacob—the first son of his beloved wife, Rachel—and Jacob favored him (not a good practice within a family, creating hard feelings just as it did with Jacob’s family) leading to his brothers to hate him.

“And when his brethren saw that their father

loved him more than all his brethren,

they hated him,

and could not speak peaceably unto him.

5 And Joseph dreamed a dream,

and he told it his brethren:

and they hated him yet the more.”   Genesis 37:4-5

Not only did partiality cause problems in this family, but it also seems that Joseph had a heart for spiritual things of God, and God had granted him a special gift of dreams. Now while some beat Joseph up for telling the dreams, if he hadn’t related the dreams—that they were of God, and that they seemed to involve this family—how would these brothers have seen God’s hand at work when they came to pass? Joseph’s brothers were also jealous.

“And he dreamed yet another dream,

and told it his brethren,

and said,

Behold, I have dreamed a dream more;

and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars

made obeisance to me.

10 And he told it to his father,

and to his brethren:

and his father rebuked him,

and said unto him,

What is this dream that thou

hast dreamed?

Shall I and thy mother

and thy brethren indeed

come to bow down ourselves

to thee to the earth?

11 And his brethren envied him;

but his father observed the saying.”   Genesis 37:9-11

While I don’t think that Joseph understood what these dreams meant (yet), and his father didn’t understand either, he did take note of it, while his brothers “envied him”—like many today who hear from God! When we share the message that God gives us with others, often, rather than receiving the message that God has given us to share, they resent, reject or ignore the message, or even become jealous of the one who has been called to share it—the messenger, if you would. But there’s more.

“And the man said,

They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan.

And Joseph went after his brethren,

and found them in Dothan.

18 And when they saw him afar off,

even before he came near unto them,

they conspired against him

to slay him.

19 And they said one to another,

Behold, this dreamer cometh.

20 Come now therefore,

and let us slay him,

and cast him into some pit,

and we will say,

Some evil beast hath devoured him:

and we shall see

what will become of his dreams…..

26 And Judah said unto his brethren,

What profit is it if we slay our brother,

and conceal his blood?

27 Come, and let us sell him

to the Ishmeelites,

and let not our hand be upon him;

for he is our brother and our flesh.

And his brethren were content.”   Genesis 37:17-20, 26-27

Joseph was hated because of the love of his father (over which he had no control), and also for the gift of dreams, from God—which none of them understood at the time—so they hated him so much they decided to kill him. Doesn’t sound much like a life of “ease and prosperity” does it. But they relented (by chance, right? NOT—but God’s providence is ever at work here!) and chose to sell him into slavery instead of killing him, meanness with a profit! So we find Joseph in Egypt.

“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt;

and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian,

bought him of the hands

of the Ishmeelites,

which had brought him down thither.

2 And the LORD was with Joseph,

and he was a prosperous man;

and he was in the house of his master

the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw

that the LORD was with him,

and that the LORD made all that he did

to prosper in his hand.” Genesis 39:1-3

God was with Joseph—this young man of 17 years old, the favored son of his father, is now a slave in Egypt—but his new master saw that “the LORD was with him”! Joseph was a godly young man who was trusting God to care for him—but he was still a slave, a favored slave, but nonetheless, a slave. And skipping forward, Joseph was once again treated poorly and cast into prison, being falsely accused by his master’s wife. What about those dreams now? What was going on? If God was “with him”, why all this suffering? Well, to cut to the chase, God had a different plan, and Joseph saw God work on his behalf, but 13 years later—while we want “instant” insight and maturity! Joseph was raised to prominence by this very gift from God for interpreting dreams.

Yet after his promotion his heart was still set on God, and when he had the opportunity to take revenge he kept trusting to the God who was in charge, not vengeance!

“And Pharaoh said unto his servants,

Can we find such a one as this is,

a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph,

Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this,

there is none so discreet

and wise as thou art:

40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled:

only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph,

See, I have set thee over all

the land of Egypt.”   Genesis 41:38-41

As ruler of Egypt, he exercised the mercy of God toward those who had mistreated him. In response to his brothers who experienced the “fulfillment” of his dreams, he extended grace, not revenge—and he credits God for it all.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren,

Come near to me, I pray you.

And they came near.

And he said,

I am Joseph your brother,

whom ye sold into Egypt.

5 Now therefore be not grieved,

nor angry with yourselves,

that ye sold me hither:

for God did send me before you

to preserve life.” Genesis 45:4-5

Joseph knew that faith was trusting to God’s plan even when he didn’t understand it all ‘yet’! What about us?

“And Joseph said unto them,

Fear not:

for am I in the place of God?

20 But as for you,

ye thought evil against me;

but God meant it unto good,

to bring to pass,

as it is this day,

to save much people alive.

21 Now therefore fear ye not:

I will nourish you,

and your little ones.

And he comforted them,

      and spake kindly unto them.”   Genesis 50:19-21

Now let’s go on to another young man who found himself in bondage to a pagan king—Daniel. I could spend months on Daniel, he was an amazing young man, but for our purposes, we’ll just peruse the highlights of some of Daniel’s encounters.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour

and tender love

with the prince of the eunuchs.”    Daniel 1:8-9

Taken into Babylonian captivity, Daniel determined to be faithful to his God, no matter the cost! It’s also interesting that God blessed Daniel with the same gift that He gave to Joseph—dreams and interpretation of dreams. Because Daniel and his friends determined to be faithful to their God—their God honored their faithfulness.

“Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in,

then the prince of the eunuchs

brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king communed with them;

and among them all was found

none like

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters

of wisdom

and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians

and astrologers

that were in all his realm.”   Daniel 1:18-20

Daniel and his friends were faithful to God, and God blessed them so that the king found them “ten times better than all” the other ‘wise men’ in the kingdom! Yet that blessing caused them no measure of conflict with their pagan peers! Just like Joseph, they suffered for their faith—yes they were in a position of authority and even luxury of a sort, but they were still captives in a pagan land–yet they remained faithful even under fire! (Literally for his three friends.)

“Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound ….. and all kinds of musick,

ye fall down

and worship the image

which I have made;

well:

but if ye worship not,

ye shall be cast the same hour

into the midst

of a burning fiery furnace;

and who is that God

that shall deliver you

out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee

in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand,

O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee,

O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury,

and the form of his visage was changed

against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake,

and commanded

that they should heat the furnace

one seven times more

than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men

that were in his army

to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

and to cast them

into the burning fiery furnace.”   Daniel 3:15-19

These three faced the fire, and while God did deliver them out of that fire, they were willing to go into the fire, trusting that whether God delivered them out of the fire, or through it—our God “will deliver us” for their good and HIS glory. Daniel and his friend left a footprint of faith before those who loved them as well as those who hated them. Even his enemies had to admit in chapter 6 that the only fault they could find with Daniel would be in regard to his relationship with his God.

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion

against Daniel concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it against him

concerning the law of his God.”  Daniel 6:4-5

Daniel was a faithful man in all his ways—even in captivity, even when he was facing a den of lions. Yet because of his faithfulness, others saw God in him! Suffering and opposition in the life of the faithful is not a popular message, but it is still truth!

“16 Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee……

19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel,

servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee from the lions?

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him innocency

was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:16 & 19-22

Daniel was found innocent before God and man—he had been faithful for some 70 years and while he faced opposition, God vindicated him and honored his faithfulness. So what about you and I? Is our faithfulness an assurance of ease and prosperity? Or have we realized that it is the assurance of God’s purposes being accomplished in and through our suffering and trials? Amen!

If we have time, we could look at Paul, at Jeremiah, at the prophet Macaiah, at King Jehoshaphat and others, all with the same conclusion that faithful servants trust The Master in all kinds of situations, no matter the difficulty, trial or inconvenience, even when we don’t understand. God has called us to keep our eyes on Him, and that last part of Hebrews 11 is the icing on the cake!

“And what shall I more say?

for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith

subdued kingdoms,

wrought righteousness,

obtained promises,

stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire,

escaped the edge of the sword,

out of weakness were made strong,

waxed valiant in fight,

turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead

raised to life again:

and others

were tortured,

not accepting deliverance;

that they might obtain

a better resurrection:

36 And others

had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,

yea, moreover of bonds

and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned,

they were sawn asunder,

were tempted,

were slain with the sword:

they wandered about in sheepskins

and goatskins;

being destitute,

afflicted,

tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains,

and in dens

and caves of the earth.

39 And these all,

having obtained a good report through faith,

received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”   Hebrews 11:32-40

Think on these faithful things!!! Let’s be sure we know that real faith isn’t measured by ease or $$$! Amen and Amen!!!