For the past couple of weeks, I have been involved in some outpatient therapy back at Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital. Randy, the PT, I am working with is very knowledgeable and helpful to let me know that needs to take place for me to see progress with my walking. My challenge is remembering what to do and doing it properly.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. Exodus 3:11,12 NLT

I have recently read the Gospel of Mark and am now back to Exodus. In Mark when Jesus calls His disciples we read, “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:14 NIV)

The assurance of any mission was tied to a relationship with the Lord. When the Lord is on our side we can have the confidence that He will provide the direction and the protection and the power that is needed as we stay connected with Him.

The success of the Apostles ministry was going to be tied directly to having spent time with Jesus and knowing that He was with them through the power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Apostles began their ministry. We read this account, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV)

As the Lord called Moses to be the deliverer of His people, the confidence of Moses was not to rest on his leadership ability, his charisma or any virtue he possessed. His confidence as to be in the fact that God was with Him.

I recently heard on the radio a comment related to prayer. It was something like “the power of prayer is not in the person praying, but who the person is praying to.” There is a cliche from years past that does have some truth attached to it. It goes something like this, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

When we look at the life of Joseph the repeated observation was that the “Lord was with Joseph.” The Lord’s presence, His favor, His power makes the difference. The Proverb that admonishes us to, “lean not on your own understanding…”  could also include the admonition, “…don’t trust in your own strength and ability.”

It is interesting to see how this basic concept was something that the Lord continually reminded and reassured Moses about. After the exodus as the people prepared to leave Mount Sinai, Moses was praying to the Lord about the ominous task before him, “…if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” (Exodus 33:13 NKJV)

The Lord’s response was this, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14 NKJV)

At times the only assurance, the only certainty is the Lord’s presence. But when we have that, we have all that we need.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 NLT

Perspective. It is what helps us to understand the events of life when all the “dust” settles. Thirteen of the 50 chapters of Genesis focuses on the story of Joesph. That is almost twenty percent of the book.

We begin the story when Joesph is 17 and end with the record of his death at 120. Joesph is the favored son of his father. His dreams and his bad reports of his brothers don’t help his family relationships. He goes from pit to prison to palace.

Joesph’s life and attitude were tested and refined as a servant and prisoner. We read of Joesph’s attitude and diligence that won him favor regardless of his challenging circumstances. We also see the reference to the fact that “God was with him.”

That in itself challenges us in the difficulties of life. When we have the confidence that God is with us and we possess the right attitude and response to what happens, we can “come out on top.” 

Proverbs 10:25 NLT reminds us, “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.”

Joesph was able to forgive his brothers before they asked. He as able to put the past behind and to live in the provisions of the Lord’s blessing on his life. As a result, his perspective was radically different than his brothers.

After Jacob died, his brothers were still anticipating revenge and retribution. They lived in the past, not seeing the significance of what transpired over the years. Joesph was able to see the bigger picture and to tell his brothers, “what you intended for evil, God intended for good.”

As the Lord was preparing to punish His disobedient and idolatrous people by sending them captive to Babylon, He sent Jeremiah with this message, “The anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all he has planned. In the days to come, you will understand all this very clearly.” (Jeremiah 23:20 NLT)

We don’t understand the lessons and the outcome of what the Lord allows to come to our life. But we can be confident of the Lord’s presence and work in our life. That is why we call our spiritual life a “journey of faith.” The road may be challenging and difficult and filled with suffering or pain, but we can be confident that the Lord is helping us and working on our behalf as we keep our eyes on Him and trust in Him.

I remember the words of a friend of mine, “God doesn’t give us what we can handle, He helps us handle what we are given.” When it’s over regardless of how long it takes, we will see God working out His purpose in our lives.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.” Genesis 37:26,27 NLT

When Reuben slept with his father’s concubine, he forfeited his leadership as firstborn among his brothers. The leadership of the 12 brothers was given to Judah. We see this reflected in Judah listed first among the tribes of Israel in the Book of Revelation. We see it as events unfold in the story of Joesph.

There are three specific situations in which Judah is mentioned as exerting his leadership among the brothers. The first was when the brothers plotted to kill Joseph and instead threw him into a pit. Judah was the one who suggested selling Joesph into slavery and avoiding the guilt of him being killed.

Later when Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt to get food, it was Judah who told him that they were instructed not to return without their youngest son. It was at that time that Judah offered to be responsible for the safety of Benjamin.

Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation—and not only we, but you and our little ones.” (Genesis 43:8 NLT)

This was a similar offer that Reuben had made when they returned from their first trip to Egypt, but Jacob refused to accept. Now Jacob felt the desperation of their situation and Judah offered to take full responsibility personally. He told his father, “You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever.” (Genesis 43:9 NLT)

When they returned to Egypt we see the fulfillment of Joesph’s dream. “When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him, then bowed low to the ground before him.” (Genesis 43:26 NLT)

We don’t see Joesph ever reminding his brothers about his dreams, but when Joesph sets them up to further test them, and attempts to keep Benjamin as his “prisoner” we see Judah stepping up and speaking up,

“Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you…My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever. “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.” (Genesis 44:18,32-33 NLT)

It was after this self-sacrificial offer that Joesph could not keep his identity hidden from his brothers. He reveals himself to his brothers and tells them to go and bring his father and their families to Egypt to live for the remainder of the famine.

If leadership is influence we see that reflected in Judah. He was willing to “step up and speak up” before his brothers, his father, and Joesph at a critical time. We see leadership recognized by others as they followed his advice and listened to his words.

Leadership is also sacrifice and humility. That is what Joesph recognized in Judah during a pivotal moment in their interactions. Over the years, Joesph had changed and he was able to recognize that his brothers had changed as well. Although he did call out to them as they returned home to get their father and told them, “don’t argue on your way!”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” Genesis 37:19,20 NLT

Family dynamics are more complicated than those found in politics, business or other relationships. It is interesting that Jacob knew what it was to be the “favorite” son of his mother and to be hated by his older brother. So it is not without some irony that we find him showing favor to Joseph the oldest son of Rachel, his beloved wife who died in childbirth when Benjamin was born.

When you have a favored and protected son and that son shares his dreams that indicate his future superiority over his family, it is not a good combination. Then we see that Joseph was noted as giving a “bad” report to Jacob about his brothers which did not help.

Joseph’s brothers “hated” him for all of this, but they also harbored resentment against their father for how he treated Joseph. When they were out in the fields alone with Joesph they were presented with a prime opportunity to execute some revenge.

We don’t know which brother instigated the plot to kill Joseph, but we know that Ruben and Judah were instrumental in keeping him alive. Ruben suggested throwing Joseph into the pit (planning to rescue him later) and then Judah suggested selling him into slavery to keep from killing him.

Ruben is an interesting study in contrast to his uncle Esau. Esau lost his firstborn position and reacted by creating pain for his parents. Ruben lost his firstborn position by sleeping with his father’s concubine and spent his years trying to regain his father’s favor.

We see this in his plan to rescue Joseph from the pit and return him to his father. I’m not sure how that was going to play out, but we see his desire to take advantage of Joseph’s favored status to regain some favor in his father’s eyes.

Then 13 years later when Joesph is Prime Minister in Egypt and accuses his brothers of being spies and keeps Simeon in prison until they return with Benjamin, Ruben steps up and asked his father to entrust the boy to his care. I believe it is noteworthy to see Ruben act like a leader and to seek to win back his father’s favor opposed to becoming filled with resentment and bitterness over his own failure.

We then see how the actions of Joseph’s brothers haunted them the rest of their lives. Instead of “settling a score” they found themselves carrying a burden instead of a grudge. When they encountered Joseph and were accused of being spies we read Ruben’s response,  “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?” Reuben asked. “But you wouldn’t listen. And now we have to answer for his blood!” (Genesis 42:22 NLT)

Even though Joesph eventually revealed himself to his brothers and provided for their care, we see their lingering fear and guilt revealed years later when their father died.  “…now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him….” (Genesis 50:15 NLT)

Through all of this, we can see that forgiveness, not revenge brings true freedom. We see a proper response to failure is better than resentment. In Revelation, we find the Tribe of Ruben listed second among the tribes of Israel.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….. “From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.”  Genesis 27:41 NLT

Two brother feuds stand out in the Bible. Cain and Abel and Jacob and Esau. It is interesting to see the similarities and the differences between the two. Cain was successful in his plan to kill his brother. Esau planned to kill his brother Jacob in revenge for being deceived and the loss of his birthright which was his own doing.

However, the words of the Lord to Cain, seem to echo down through the ages, “…..You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:7 NLT)

Esau was not able to kills Jacob, because of his mother’s intervention, but we see his anger and desire for revenge took some unusual measures.

“…It was now very clear to Esau that his father did not like the local Canaanite women. So Esau visited his uncle Ishmael’s family and married one of Ishmael’s daughters, in addition to the wives he already had.” (Genesis 28:8,9 NLT)

Even before Jacob stole Esau’s firstborn blessing we read of his choices of a wife. “Esau married two Hittite wives: Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon. But Esau’s wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah.” (Genesis 26:34,35 NLT)

Esau saw that Jacob had obeyed his parents in returning to the home of Rebecca to find a wife and he knew that his father did not like Canaanite women, so he intentionally went to the house of Ishmael to get a wife. All of this was obvious planned revenge.

We can observe in scripture and in life that the emotions of the moment do not make for wise choices. However, the ensuring years reveal a change in both Esau and Jacob. Jacob returns to Canaan with wives, children and livestock after some challenging years in the house of Laban. Esau comes out to meet Jacob, which was a cause for great fear and concern. Regardless of the years that transpire, we tend to remember and feel about relationships at the point we left them.

Two things of importance happened. Esau experienced the Lord’s blessing, in spite of his poor choices. It appears that over the years his attitude toward Jacob changed. Jacob had his infamous encounter with the Lord and met Esau as one who wrestled with the Lord and now walked with a limp. Finally their reunion took place….

“Then Esau ran to meet him [Jacob] and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.” (Genesis 33:4 NLT)

Jacob sent gifts ahead of arriving to meet Esau and insisted that Esau accept them. Esau finally consented even though he said, “My brother, I have plenty…Keep what you have for yourself.” (Genesis 33:9 NLT)

We read later that Esau joined Jacob in burying Isaac when he died. Instead of killing his brother after his father’s death as he vowed, we see a restored relationship. Patience, time and refusing to respond based on anger and rejection can go a long way to experiencing greater peace and contentment in life and relationships.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  ^“When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry. “Oh my father, what about me? Bless me, too!” he begged….Esau pleaded, “But do you have only one blessing? Oh my father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and wept.”    Genesis 27:34,38

Regrets….we all have them. Some are a result of quick decisions that we would like to “have back.” Others are a result of choices, habits or a lifestyle. Esau stands out in scripture as one who made a decision to sell his future for a bowl of stew. Later that decision along with Jacob’s deception to receive the blessing that would normally accompany the oldest son set the course for Esau’s life.

I was reading in Proverbs lately and these verses stood out to me. They are some challenging and “tough” words of scripture. They are harsh words. They are words of consequence for those who reject the Lord’s wisdom and snub their nose at His correction. When we fail to learn wisdom, when we need wisdom it will not always be as easy to attain as we would like.

“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.” (Proverbs 1:28-31 NLT)

In the New Testament the writer of Hebrews reflects back on the life of Esau as a challenge to be wise in conduct and choices is presented.

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God…See that no one is…godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.” (Hebrews 12:15-17 NIV)

Esau did receive a blessing from Isaac. But is was an inferior blessing, it actually carried the character of a curse,

“You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.” (Genesis 27:39,40 NLT)

We see in the years to come that Esau was a leader men of men and accumulated possessions. The Lord did prove Himself gracious and faithful. But it was not the life that the Lord intended.

Some one once observed, “we make our choices and then our choices make us.” Those are sobering words, those are true words. We must know what matters most. We must seek to live in the fear of the Lord and to be people of wisdom that keep our focus on the eternal instead of the temporal.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…..  ^“But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.” Genesis 19:29 NLT

The history of Abraham and Lot is an interesting one. It is a study in contrasts. We see the faith and righteousness of Abraham and the conflicted compromise of Lot.

When Abraham leaves Haran, he takes Lot, his nephew with him. Abraham finds himself constantly looking out for Lot’s well being. As the Lord blessed Abraham a conflict arose between the herdsman of Abraham and the herdsman of Lot. Abraham tells Lot it is better for them to separate. But the separation would not change Abraham’s commitment to his nephew.

Lot is given the choice of where to go and chooses the best looking area for his flocks and family. Scripture says, “he pitched his tent near Sodom” choosing the well water plains. Abraham eventually finds himself rescuing Lot and his family and possessions from some marauding kings.

Eventually Lot and his family are fully integrated into the culture of Sodom. It seems Lot maintains his personal righteousness, but fails to make wise choices and becomes “at home” with the conflict between his personal faith and the environment he chose to live in. Peter would describe Lot as “… a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless…” (2 Peter 2:7 NIV)

When the angels told Lot to pack his bags and flee the city, he hesitated. His warning to his daughter’s fiance’s was not taken serious and Lot’s wife disobeyed the angel’s instructions and looked back on the destruction of the city. The angel’s tell Lot to flee to the mountains, he asks instead to go to a nearby city. Lot then leaves that city and goes to the mountains where he becomes the father of two men who would become the father’s of nations that would be hostile to Israel.

This account of biblical history provides some important background to the development of nations and people that would factor into Israel’s history. But there are some spiritual lessons for us to observe.

We can observe Abraham’s faith and commitment to the Lord. He had his questions and reservations about how God’s promise would be fulfilled, but through it all chose to believe and obey. Lot while described in the New Testament as “righteous” struggled with compromise and making an impact on others. His “personal” righteousness did not impact his wife or daughters let alone others around him.

Abraham’s faith and commitment to Lot allowed him to intercede for Lot regardless of past conflicts.

We see Jesus in teaching about the last days issue a warning to “remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:12) We are not to be so tied to this world, that we fail to be willing to leave it behind when Christ returns.

Abraham and Lot are both described as “righteous” but their histories are vastly different. In our lives we can make a choice to embrace the Lord’s promise and impact the lives of others like Abraham, or to compromise and experience conflict, distress and escape judgment by the “skin of our teeth” like Lot.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT

As I come to this final day of 2017, I am reminded of the importance of the commitment reflected in the title of Eugene Peterson’s book, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” When a new year comes the key is not always a commitment to something brand new, but an affirmation of that which is right and solid in our lives. In life consistence is the key.

I wonder if what it would be like to apply the same evaluation to our lives that we do to some of our financial investments. It is normal to look at various investments and see if they have increased in value over the year. We want to know if our financial commitments have shown growth. It is also important to know if our spiritual life has reflected growth.

The confidence of David can still be what fills us with confidence, “the Lord will show us the way of life.” We don’t have to “figure it out on our own.” As we follow Jesus consistently and persistently we can be confident of a life of joy and a glorious eternity in His presence.

Psalm 14 contains observations that are the opposite of this assurance. “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt.” (Psalm 14:2,3 NLT)

Wise living is reflected in a commitment to follow the Lord and to continue following the Lord. To seek the Lord and to continue to seek the Lord. When we turn from the Lord we become “corrupt.” When we follow the Lord and live in His presence, He fills us with His joy.

At my service at Morning Star Assisted Living this morning we sang the old song, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” The words of that old song contain a statement of faith and hope and then ends with a challenge, “So, bravely run the race, till we see Christ.” 

In this new year, have confidence in Jesus showing you the way of life. Follow Him closely, follow faithfully, bravely run the race. As you do you will find the joy of His presence and the pleasures of a secure eternity.