The walls of the pit must have seemed higher than a building as it blocked out the sun while his brothers looked down at him. The only thing he had done was to share the dreams he had over the past few nights. His brother became furious at his interpretation of the dreams. His brothers disliked the more he obeyed his father. Now, he is in a pit… just waiting.
The next step would take him farther from home. His brothers ended up selling him to slave traders. He ended up being sold again to the captain of the military guard in Egypt. Now he was a servant in a foreign land far from home. In a short time, he went from being the most loved son of his father to being a servant in a God-less kingdom.
Even though he was in a foreign land, the Lord watched over him and brought him to a place of prominence in the empire. Long story short, he ended up in prison for doing what was right. His choice of the right thing ended up putting him in the wrong place.
How can a man stay true to who he is called to be when, at every height, there is a rocky bottom?
Whether a pit or a foreign prison, he was at the bottom again?
What do you do when everyone turns their back on you?
Joseph stayed faithful. The Lord blessed Joseph in prison and each blessing brought him success. (Genesis 39.21-23)
Joseph uses his abilities. Not only was Joseph faithful, but he used his gifts to bless those around him. (Genesis 40.1-15)
Joseph remembered God. As God remembered Joseph, Joseph remembered the way God had blessed him and he looked into the future. (Genesis 41.50.52)
When Jesus gathered with His closest friends shortly before His betrayal and arrest, He says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 16.13; ESV)
While most know the verse, it is important to realize the background of His words. The background is simple, yet chilling.
Jesus was getting ready to die, and He knew it. As one might say, “His time had come.” He knew that shortly one of his closest followers would betray him for money, that another would deny him three times and still all the others would disappear for a while. He would be left alone. It would be difficult.
Jesus taught many lessons throughout His brief time on Earth, but one of the greatest lessons He taught was service. Even though He knew His friends would leave Him, He still stood firm and served them so their lives could be greater.
Jesus’ interests were clearly in the lives of those around Him. He knew His purpose (Luke 19.10) and His purpose was not of His own, but that of the Father. (John 6.38) Even in His prayer in John 17, one can see the actions of Jesus were to glorify the Father (John 17.1-5). As Jesus prays for Himself, He does not forget His friends (John 17.20-26)
Are you interested in the people?
Jesus found an interest in people because they needed someone to lead them to a better life. Earlier in His ministry, Matthew records that Jesus “…had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9.35-38)
Are you sharing the story of Jesus’ interest in people?
Which one do you want? Like by people or loved by God?
Well, I know the answer already. You choose to be loved by God over being liked by people; each of us does. However, is that how you live?
In some way, each of us wants people to like us. We live at a time when we can write things online and people “Like” or “make it a favorite.”
Do you remember Ananias and Sapphira?
I am sure we remember how Ananias lied to the apostles regarding the money given and how he immediately died. We remember Sapphira arriving shortly afterward and lying to the apostles, as she agreed with her husband. We remember how she died too. (Acts 5.1-11)
However, why would they agree to lie? Did they think more people would like them because of their actions?
I am going out on a limb and say that Ananias and Sapphira saw something you and I might forget; they saw Barnabas. Acts chapter 4 closes with the account of Barnabas and his heart of true giving. Barnabas, the son of encouragement, sold a field and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4.36-37)
Following the account of the generosity of Barnabas is the deathly account of Ananias and Sapphira. As Barnabas did a great thing, Ananias and Sapphira chose to sin. Did Ananias and Sapphira choose to lie because they wanted to be liked as well as Barnabas?
The world may never know. However, do you choose to be liked by men or loved by God?
The New Testament speaks of growing churches differently than men. A quick reading of Paul’s letters shows the emphasis of growth on the spiritual matters of the congregation more than the physical numbers. Consider passages such as Romans 1.8,
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.”
Paul was thankful because of their faith, not their physical numbers. Paul knew the faith of the congregation in Rome was the #1 factor he could hear about their works. I could mention the same of several other congregations to whom Paul wrote. It was their faith being mentioned, not numbers.
The faith of a congregation comes down to the individual level. Simply put, if a congregation has faithful members, then the likelihood of it being a faithful congregation is great. Congregations are a family who depend on each other to build each other up (Hebrews 3.13; 1 Thessalonians 5.11). As each member builds their faith, it becomes an encouragement to all to keep pressing on and to not grow weary. (Philippians 3.13-4; Galatians 6.9)
Reading through Success Magazine a few years ago, I stumbled upon a study that answered a few questions, but caused more than it answered. The study mentioned one factor was considered more than others when someone would attend a funeral.
This one factor would determine if someone attended the funeral of a close friend, or even a family member. One factor alone was the determining factor. This one factor was…the weather.
The major factor determining whether to attend the funeral of someone was not the relationship, or the physical presence supporting the family, but the weather. I am not sure what you might consider factors for attending a funeral or not, but does the weather become the decision maker?
When I read this, I immediately thought of church services. Preachers have a way of turning every thought religious at some point, and this one made me consider church services. Sometimes making it to services because of extreme weather is difficult, but the article in Success Magazine was not referring to extreme weather, just simple rain.
In his book, Pepper ‘n Salt, Vance Havner wrote, “My father was faithful to the house of God. When he felt like it and when he didn’t, when the preaching was good and when it wasn’t, my father was there.
Whether the weather be good
Or whether the weather be hot,
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be not,
Whatever the weather, he weathered the weather,
Whether he liked it or not.
Mr. Havner’s words reflect the life his father lived and how his father stayed committed to following God.
Are we committed to our relationship with God over the weather?
Are there things other than weather that keep us away from the Lord?
Belief is a tough word because many think it only occurs in one’s mind. However, when a person believes, you can see their belief in their actions. James said to be “doers of the words and not hearers only.” (James 1.22)
Remember that Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7.16)
So, how do you know what someone believes?
Consider the life of Richard Wurmband. Richard spent 14 years in prison because of his faith in Christ. Three of those 14 years were spent in solitary confinement. During those years, Richard was tortured, but his faith never left. It is interesting to note that Richard had once been a strong non-believer, but he changed. His new life and choice was to tell as many people as he could about Jesus. After being released from prison, Richard Wurmbrand wrote a book containing this quote, “A man really believes not what is recited in his creed, but only the things he is ready to die for.”1
Jesus calls for His followers to let their lights shine. (Matthew 5.14-16) Each person whose light is shining allows others to see God. Your belief and conviction in God are clearly seen in your actions.
Do you believe?
Just some thoughts,
1 – Tortured For Christ, Richard Wurmbrand, 50th Anniversary Edition, 2017, p.83
