Dear class,
Today's readings are taken from Psalm 11, Genesis 19-20 and Matthew 3.
We read of the conclusion of the incident of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Bro Yong Yaw preached an excellent lesson on this which I hope you'd still recall.
In the aftermath, we read of the demise of Lot's wife, his daughters committing incest out of a seemingly good intent. Later on, back to Abraham, we see a great man of faith succumbing (yet again! c.f. Gen 12:11ff) to personal insecurities and hid the truth to save his skin.
Brethren, far too often we compelled to think ahead of God. As a result of their "good intent", the daughters of Lot produced one of the worst enemies of Israel (Moab and Ammon). Abraham, in spite of his great faith, thought it necessary to hide his relationship with his wife when in both instances, it would not have gotten him into trouble. (Notice his reasoning in Gen 20:11) And previously, when God promised him a son of his own with Sarah, their skepticism moved Sarah to give Hagar unto Abraham, which again resulted in the birth of an opposing nation (c.f. Gen 16).
While on one hand, we should not sit idly on our bums and adopt a "wait for the rabbit at the tree" attitude, it is entirely another to achieve our own goals through our own means, especially when God had specific instructions or when doing so requires flouting God's Law.
In contrast, we look at the shining example of Joseph, who in spite of his ups and downs, continued to look to God and do His will. Just imagine if he had taken things into his own hands to "fulfill" God's vision to him about him ruling over his brethren and even parents. Perhaps he could have observed the attitudes of his brothers and decided to hire some bodyguards, which might have triggered a bloodbath when the brothers tried to kill him. Or what if Joseph decided to conspire with the wife (who was attracted to him anyway) and usurp his Egyptian master to "fulfill" the dream? What if Joseph decided that in order to be great he had to somehow break out of prison?
Thanks be to God, Joseph did none of that but focused on doing right before God every step of the way* and God provided for him.
Brethren, let us learn from the examples before us, to shun the negative and uphold the positive (c.f. 1Co 10:11; Rom 15:4). Let us learn to lean on and trust in God and not try to second guess Him. Let us always choose to do what is right and trust that God will provide!
The Lord bless our day ahead.
In Him
Paul
*Notice that Joseph did not chose to do good only when God blessed him and "cursed God and die" (c.f. Job 2:9), when in trouble. His obedience (and so should ours too!) was independent of his circumstance.
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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. ~ 2John 9
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