Although it may be rare to hear someone actually say, “let us” today, we often hear it in the shortened contraction of, “let’s.” It is a statement of encouragement to engage in an activity together. With this in mind, let us consider the “let us” statements in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 3:16-4:13 -Let us fear, lest we fall short 4:1
-Let us be diligent to enter that rest 4:11
As the Israelites did, we too look forward to a rest. We have fear, so that we do not fall short. We must be diligent and work hard to enter into that risk.
Hebrews 4:14-5:3 -Let us hold fast our confession 4:14
-Let us come boldly to the throne 4:16
We must hold firmly to the faith. If we do so, we can approach God with confidence.
Hebrews 5:12-6:3 -Let us leave elementary teachings and mature 6:1
We must move beyond understanding only the basic first principles of Christ, and be able to understand the meat of the word.
Hebrews 10:11-25 -Let us draw near with a true heart 10:22
-Let us hold fast the confession of our hope 10:23
-Let us consider one another 10:24
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can approach God with a true heart. We must abide in the faith, holding fast our hope. We must consider how to help each other in this.
Hebrews 12:1-11 -Let us lay aside every weight 12:1
-Let us run with endurance the race 12:1
We must put away anything that hinders our walk with Christ. We must run the long distance race, not stopping.
Hebrews 12:25-29 -Let us have grace 12:28
We must follow the Lord, accepting His grace, that we might receive the kingdom.
Hebrews 13:1-17 -Let us go forth to Him 13:13
-Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God 13:15
As we live, we must strive to become more like Him. We must continually offer praise for what He has done for us.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Empty and Full - 12/21/08am
Matthew 6:19-24 -Filled with light/darkness
Matthew 23:25-28 -Pharisees filled with robbery, hypocrisy
Romans 1:28-32 -Full of unrighteousness
II Peter 2:12-22 -Eyes full of adultery and never cease sinning
We can see that these men were full of unrighteousness and evil. We can see that it is something we are to not be. We can see that we are to empty ourselves of such things. But is that the measure of following Christ? To empty ourselves of evil? Or is there more to serving the Lord than that?
Matthew 12:43-45 -Empty house
II Peter 1:4-9 -Add to
Galatians 5:22-24 -Fruit of the spirit
Filled with Wisdom and Knowledge
Colossians 1:1-12 -Filled with the knowledge of His will
Romans 15:14 -Filled with knowledge
Filled with Joy
II Timothy 1:3-7 -Filled with joy because of other Christians
I Peter 1:1-9 -Filled with joy in their belief
Filled with Grace
Acts 6:8 -Stephen was full of grace and power
Colossians 4:2-6 -Let your speech be full of grace
Filled with Fear
Luke 5:18-26 -Those who see the man walk are filled with fear
Hebrews 12:21 -Moses, full of fear and trembling
Filled with Awe
Matthew 9:1-8 -Multitudes saw, and were filled with awe
Acts 3:10-11 -Full of amazement
Filled with Comfort
II Corinthians 7:4 -Filled with comfort by brethren
Filled with Goodness
Romans 15:14 -Roman Christians are full of goodness
Philippians 1:9-11 -Filled with the fruit of righteousness
Matthew 23:25-28 -Pharisees filled with robbery, hypocrisy
Romans 1:28-32 -Full of unrighteousness
II Peter 2:12-22 -Eyes full of adultery and never cease sinning
We can see that these men were full of unrighteousness and evil. We can see that it is something we are to not be. We can see that we are to empty ourselves of such things. But is that the measure of following Christ? To empty ourselves of evil? Or is there more to serving the Lord than that?
Matthew 12:43-45 -Empty house
II Peter 1:4-9 -Add to
Galatians 5:22-24 -Fruit of the spirit
Filled with Wisdom and Knowledge
Colossians 1:1-12 -Filled with the knowledge of His will
Romans 15:14 -Filled with knowledge
Filled with Joy
II Timothy 1:3-7 -Filled with joy because of other Christians
I Peter 1:1-9 -Filled with joy in their belief
Filled with Grace
Acts 6:8 -Stephen was full of grace and power
Colossians 4:2-6 -Let your speech be full of grace
Filled with Fear
Luke 5:18-26 -Those who see the man walk are filled with fear
Hebrews 12:21 -Moses, full of fear and trembling
Filled with Awe
Matthew 9:1-8 -Multitudes saw, and were filled with awe
Acts 3:10-11 -Full of amazement
Filled with Comfort
II Corinthians 7:4 -Filled with comfort by brethren
Filled with Goodness
Romans 15:14 -Roman Christians are full of goodness
Philippians 1:9-11 -Filled with the fruit of righteousness
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Can We All Agree? - 12/14/08pm
Psalm 133
Amos 3:3
Often people will make the statement that we cannot all agree on what the Bible says. Some people then draw the conclusion that as long as you believe something, you're ok. Others draw the conclusion that the Bible must be wrong. Yet let us consider what the Bible has to say as to whether it can be understood the same by everyone.
1) The Bible tells Christians to be of like mind:
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
2 Corinthians 13:11
Philippians 2:1-4
Philippians 4:2-3
How can we do this if we cannot come to the same conclusion of what is in scripture?
2) We find the example of unity and of “one”
Ephesians 4:1-13
Why is the singular nature of all these stressed repeatedly, if unity was not God’s plan
3) We know that God does not plan on confusion and division among His followers
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
1 Corinthians 14:33
James 3:13-18
If God does not want confusion, logically He made His law understandable
4) We know we are to reject anything not found in God’s Word.
Galatians 1:6-9
2 John 7-10
Revelation 22:18-19
Therefore it must be possible to know what God says, so that we can avoid what is not in God‘s word.
5) We know that we are to follow God’s commands.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
John 14:6-7, 15
Acts 5:26-32
Mark 25:31-46
God has only one law, so it makes sense that it is understandable…are laws made that cannot be understood and agreed on?
What is God’s command? That we are baptized and follow Him for the remainder of our days.
Matthew 16:24-28
The Kingdom, His Church, is here! Be baptized (Ephesians 4:5), and follow Him.
Amos 3:3
Often people will make the statement that we cannot all agree on what the Bible says. Some people then draw the conclusion that as long as you believe something, you're ok. Others draw the conclusion that the Bible must be wrong. Yet let us consider what the Bible has to say as to whether it can be understood the same by everyone.
1) The Bible tells Christians to be of like mind:
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
2 Corinthians 13:11
Philippians 2:1-4
Philippians 4:2-3
How can we do this if we cannot come to the same conclusion of what is in scripture?
2) We find the example of unity and of “one”
Ephesians 4:1-13
Why is the singular nature of all these stressed repeatedly, if unity was not God’s plan
3) We know that God does not plan on confusion and division among His followers
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
1 Corinthians 14:33
James 3:13-18
If God does not want confusion, logically He made His law understandable
4) We know we are to reject anything not found in God’s Word.
Galatians 1:6-9
2 John 7-10
Revelation 22:18-19
Therefore it must be possible to know what God says, so that we can avoid what is not in God‘s word.
5) We know that we are to follow God’s commands.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
John 14:6-7, 15
Acts 5:26-32
Mark 25:31-46
God has only one law, so it makes sense that it is understandable…are laws made that cannot be understood and agreed on?
What is God’s command? That we are baptized and follow Him for the remainder of our days.
Matthew 16:24-28
The Kingdom, His Church, is here! Be baptized (Ephesians 4:5), and follow Him.
Creating & Maintianing Faith - 12/14/08am
While we often discuss what faith is and what the role of faith is in salvation and daily life, we will take some time to look at a different aspect of faith: how scripture creates faith in a person, and how scripture maintains that faith.
Creating Faith
What does the Bible provide us with, that we might come to believe?
John 20:30-31 -Written that we might believe
Romans 10:17 -Faith comes by hearing
Romans 16:25-27 -Prophecies provided to build faith
What Faith is Created?
For that matter, what is our initial belief supposed to be? How much must we know in order to have faith and obey?
I John 5:1-5 -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
I Corinthians 15:12-28 -The resurrection
Acts 2:14-41 -Pentecost - “simplicity” of initial faith
Matthew 16:13-16 -The good confession
Acts 8:26-40 -What the Ethiopian believed
-Jesus, the Christ, is the Son of God
-Obedience is necessary (Hebrews 5:9)
Maintaining Faith
How much of the Bible was written to maintain faith in the faithful?
Romans 1:1-7
I Corinthians 1:1-3
II Corinthians 1:1-3
Galatians 1:1-5
Ephesians 1:1-2
Philippians 1:1-2
Colossians 1:1-2
I Thessalonians 1:1
II Thessalonians 1:1-2
I Timothy 1:1-2
II Timothy 1:1-2
Titus 1:1-4
Philemon 1-3
Hebrews 3:1
James 1:1
I Peter 1:1-2
II Peter 1:1-2
II John 1:1-3
III John 1
Jude 1-2
Revelation 1:4-6
Acts 2:42-47 -The disciples after Pentecost
Creating Faith
What does the Bible provide us with, that we might come to believe?
John 20:30-31 -Written that we might believe
Romans 10:17 -Faith comes by hearing
Romans 16:25-27 -Prophecies provided to build faith
What Faith is Created?
For that matter, what is our initial belief supposed to be? How much must we know in order to have faith and obey?
I John 5:1-5 -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
I Corinthians 15:12-28 -The resurrection
Acts 2:14-41 -Pentecost - “simplicity” of initial faith
Matthew 16:13-16 -The good confession
Acts 8:26-40 -What the Ethiopian believed
-Jesus, the Christ, is the Son of God
-Obedience is necessary (Hebrews 5:9)
Maintaining Faith
How much of the Bible was written to maintain faith in the faithful?
Romans 1:1-7
I Corinthians 1:1-3
II Corinthians 1:1-3
Galatians 1:1-5
Ephesians 1:1-2
Philippians 1:1-2
Colossians 1:1-2
I Thessalonians 1:1
II Thessalonians 1:1-2
I Timothy 1:1-2
II Timothy 1:1-2
Titus 1:1-4
Philemon 1-3
Hebrews 3:1
James 1:1
I Peter 1:1-2
II Peter 1:1-2
II John 1:1-3
III John 1
Jude 1-2
Revelation 1:4-6
Acts 2:42-47 -The disciples after Pentecost
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Psalm 119:89-176 -12/07/08pm
As we continue in our look at Psalm 119, let us remember the theme of the psalm: the word of God.
Psalm 119:89-96 -Endurance of the word
The word of God is eternal
The word is limitless beyond what we see elsewhere
The word will last as long as God’s faithfulness
Psalm 119:97-104 -Love for the law
Do we love the law as much as the psalmist?
Do we align our steps out of love for the word of God?
Do we gain understanding because we love the law?
Psalm 119:105-112 -Guided by the word
Do we use the word to know how to live?
Do we want to be taught the word so that we can better see the path?
Do we set our hearts on keeping to that path to the end?
Psalm 119:113-120 -Refuge in the word
The word is separated from the wicked.
The word grants security and refuge from the wicked.
We should be able to rely on the word
Psalm 119:121-128 -Walking upright by the law
We should look to the law.
We should be obedient to the law.
We should hate that which is opposed to God’s word.
Psalm 119:129-136 -Love for the law
Do we feel that God’s word is wonderful?
Do we love it so much that it pains us when it is not followed?
Do we regard the word as God’s face shining on us?
Psalm 119:137-144 -Righteousness of the word
The word is as righteous as the One who gave it.
The word is true and everlastingly right-it won’t become less so.
The precepts are tested and proven correct.
Psalm 119:145-152 -Drawing close to God through the word
We come close to God (He is near) through His word
Drawing close to God requires us to focus on Him and the word throughout the day
The word is everlasting and will always be there to provide instruction in drawing close to God
Psalm 119:153-160 -Salvation for the obedient to the word
The wicked do not seek out what God has said
If we do not forget God’s law, there is deliverance for us
God’s true words are provided for our salvation
Psalm 119:161-168 -Peace through the word
Peace comes only to those who love the word
The peace is opposite the false peace offered by many
This peace comes with the knowledge of what is in the word, and is there regardless of circumstances
Psalm 119:169-176 -Supplication to the One who gave the word
The psalmist asks God for things that might further the word in his life
Though he has strayed, he wishes to return to God and be found by Him
The psalmist longs for salvation. Do we?
Psalm 119:89-96 -Endurance of the word
The word of God is eternal
The word is limitless beyond what we see elsewhere
The word will last as long as God’s faithfulness
Psalm 119:97-104 -Love for the law
Do we love the law as much as the psalmist?
Do we align our steps out of love for the word of God?
Do we gain understanding because we love the law?
Psalm 119:105-112 -Guided by the word
Do we use the word to know how to live?
Do we want to be taught the word so that we can better see the path?
Do we set our hearts on keeping to that path to the end?
Psalm 119:113-120 -Refuge in the word
The word is separated from the wicked.
The word grants security and refuge from the wicked.
We should be able to rely on the word
Psalm 119:121-128 -Walking upright by the law
We should look to the law.
We should be obedient to the law.
We should hate that which is opposed to God’s word.
Psalm 119:129-136 -Love for the law
Do we feel that God’s word is wonderful?
Do we love it so much that it pains us when it is not followed?
Do we regard the word as God’s face shining on us?
Psalm 119:137-144 -Righteousness of the word
The word is as righteous as the One who gave it.
The word is true and everlastingly right-it won’t become less so.
The precepts are tested and proven correct.
Psalm 119:145-152 -Drawing close to God through the word
We come close to God (He is near) through His word
Drawing close to God requires us to focus on Him and the word throughout the day
The word is everlasting and will always be there to provide instruction in drawing close to God
Psalm 119:153-160 -Salvation for the obedient to the word
The wicked do not seek out what God has said
If we do not forget God’s law, there is deliverance for us
God’s true words are provided for our salvation
Psalm 119:161-168 -Peace through the word
Peace comes only to those who love the word
The peace is opposite the false peace offered by many
This peace comes with the knowledge of what is in the word, and is there regardless of circumstances
Psalm 119:169-176 -Supplication to the One who gave the word
The psalmist asks God for things that might further the word in his life
Though he has strayed, he wishes to return to God and be found by Him
The psalmist longs for salvation. Do we?
Psalm 119:1-88 -12/07/08am
Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, and the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s authorship is not stated, but many believe it was written by David. It is an acrostic poem, with each verse beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is written entirely about the word of God. It is telling that such a large, unified section of scripture is about the Lord’s decrees, and it behooves us to examine this psalm to better understand what our attitude towards the Bible should be.
Psalm 119:1-8 -Blessed is the one who keeps the law
God promises blessings to those who keep His ordinances
God blesses those who seek Him wholeheartedly
God’s laws are provided for good reason
Psalm 119:9-16 -Pure is the one who keeps the law
Living according to the word keeps one pure
Young people are also to live by God’s law
Learning the law of God is necessary to be pure
Psalm 119:17-24 -A good servant keeps the law
We serve God by obeying what He says
A good servant longs for God’s word
A good servant listens to the word’s counsel
Psalm 119:25-32 -Deliverance in the law
God’s word provides deliverance and guidance
In the word are the answers to the questions we need answered
Holding fast to the word are necessary for this
Psalm 119:33-40 -Guidance to the law
We should ask God to help us focus on the word
We should want to be guided by it
We should ask for understanding of it
Psalm 119:41-48 -Love for the law
Our hope is based in God’s word
Our search should be for God’s word
Our love should be for God’s word
Psalm 119:49-56 -Remembrance
God’s word is part of His keeping us in mind
We should keep Him in mind
We should remember His dealings in the past
Psalm 119:57-64 -Consideration towards the Law
Regardless of circumstances or situation, we should always consider the word
Our consideration of God’s word should be wholehearted
We should want to learn more to consider
Psalm 119:65-72 -Correction through the law
The law teaches us what we do wrong, and corrects us in that way
It serves to chastise us when we sin
We should delight in it for this reason (much as we should be happy for warning road signs)
Psalm 119:73-80 -God’s love through the law
God gave us His word because He loves us
It guides us that we may abide in His love
It informs us for His love
Psalm 119:81-88 -Persevere though the law
We long for salvation: it is found in the word
We must persevere in obedience, regardless of difficulties
We must determine to follow what God has commanded!
It is written entirely about the word of God. It is telling that such a large, unified section of scripture is about the Lord’s decrees, and it behooves us to examine this psalm to better understand what our attitude towards the Bible should be.
Psalm 119:1-8 -Blessed is the one who keeps the law
God promises blessings to those who keep His ordinances
God blesses those who seek Him wholeheartedly
God’s laws are provided for good reason
Psalm 119:9-16 -Pure is the one who keeps the law
Living according to the word keeps one pure
Young people are also to live by God’s law
Learning the law of God is necessary to be pure
Psalm 119:17-24 -A good servant keeps the law
We serve God by obeying what He says
A good servant longs for God’s word
A good servant listens to the word’s counsel
Psalm 119:25-32 -Deliverance in the law
God’s word provides deliverance and guidance
In the word are the answers to the questions we need answered
Holding fast to the word are necessary for this
Psalm 119:33-40 -Guidance to the law
We should ask God to help us focus on the word
We should want to be guided by it
We should ask for understanding of it
Psalm 119:41-48 -Love for the law
Our hope is based in God’s word
Our search should be for God’s word
Our love should be for God’s word
Psalm 119:49-56 -Remembrance
God’s word is part of His keeping us in mind
We should keep Him in mind
We should remember His dealings in the past
Psalm 119:57-64 -Consideration towards the Law
Regardless of circumstances or situation, we should always consider the word
Our consideration of God’s word should be wholehearted
We should want to learn more to consider
Psalm 119:65-72 -Correction through the law
The law teaches us what we do wrong, and corrects us in that way
It serves to chastise us when we sin
We should delight in it for this reason (much as we should be happy for warning road signs)
Psalm 119:73-80 -God’s love through the law
God gave us His word because He loves us
It guides us that we may abide in His love
It informs us for His love
Psalm 119:81-88 -Persevere though the law
We long for salvation: it is found in the word
We must persevere in obedience, regardless of difficulties
We must determine to follow what God has commanded!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Are You a Leper? - 11/30/08pm
Physical Leprosy in the OT
As we look in the Old Testament, we see various regulations given regarding leprosy. This is not always leprosy as we know it today, but encompassed a wide variety of skin diseases which made the afflicted person unclean.
Leviticus 13:1-11 -Laws regarding leprosy
Leviticus 13:40-46 -Laws regarding leprosy, put outside the camp
Christ Heals Lepers
In the New Testament, we see Jesus Christ healing men with leprosy. This provides a sign of His power and evidence that He is who He says He is. It also, as we will see, serves as a physical reminder that Christ can heal not only physically, but spiritually.
Matthew 11:1-6 -Jesus heals conspicuously and visibly heals lepers
Mark 1:40-45 -Jesus heals a leper
Luke 17:11-19 -The ten lepers healed by Christ
Apostles told to Go
The apostles are sent out to Israel, and one of the things they are to do is to heal lepers. Is this not what we are told to do, in a spiritual way, in the great commission in Matthew 28?
Matthew 10:5-10 -Limited commission: heal the lepers
Spiritual Leprosy
Are you spiritually leprous? Sin makes a person unclean in the sight of God. And as it makes us unclean, we need to become clean and pure. We do this by following Christ. Not only into first obedience, but after baptism as well.
II Chronicles 26:16-23 -Uzziah smitten with leprosy for his sin
I Kings 5:1-15 -Naaman
I John 1:7-9 -Jesus cleanses us from sin/unrighteousness
Leviticus 14:1-20 -Israel had to do things after being healed
After a person in Israel was healed, they had to do things even after becoming clean. There were things they were required to do. So it is with us. Are you a spiritual leper? Are you outside the camp of body of the saved? Have you obeyed Christ and been cleansed?
As we look in the Old Testament, we see various regulations given regarding leprosy. This is not always leprosy as we know it today, but encompassed a wide variety of skin diseases which made the afflicted person unclean.
Leviticus 13:1-11 -Laws regarding leprosy
Leviticus 13:40-46 -Laws regarding leprosy, put outside the camp
Christ Heals Lepers
In the New Testament, we see Jesus Christ healing men with leprosy. This provides a sign of His power and evidence that He is who He says He is. It also, as we will see, serves as a physical reminder that Christ can heal not only physically, but spiritually.
Matthew 11:1-6 -Jesus heals conspicuously and visibly heals lepers
Mark 1:40-45 -Jesus heals a leper
Luke 17:11-19 -The ten lepers healed by Christ
Apostles told to Go
The apostles are sent out to Israel, and one of the things they are to do is to heal lepers. Is this not what we are told to do, in a spiritual way, in the great commission in Matthew 28?
Matthew 10:5-10 -Limited commission: heal the lepers
Spiritual Leprosy
Are you spiritually leprous? Sin makes a person unclean in the sight of God. And as it makes us unclean, we need to become clean and pure. We do this by following Christ. Not only into first obedience, but after baptism as well.
II Chronicles 26:16-23 -Uzziah smitten with leprosy for his sin
I Kings 5:1-15 -Naaman
I John 1:7-9 -Jesus cleanses us from sin/unrighteousness
Leviticus 14:1-20 -Israel had to do things after being healed
After a person in Israel was healed, they had to do things even after becoming clean. There were things they were required to do. So it is with us. Are you a spiritual leper? Are you outside the camp of body of the saved? Have you obeyed Christ and been cleansed?
Down in the Pit - 11/30/08am
II Corinthians 4:1-12 -Though oppressed, we do not lose heart or despair
Often we feel discouraged as we strive to follow Christ. Sometimes we despair of our tasks, and we feel as though we are all alone in the bottom of a pit with now way out.
Joseph
Genesis 37:1-4 -Background of Joseph’s relationship with family
Genesis 37:5-11 -Joseph’s dream of dominion, brother’s reaction
Genesis 37:12-20 -Brothers plot to kill Joseph
Genesis 37:21-22 -Reuben’s Compromise
Genesis 37:23-36 -Consequences of Joseph’s Pride
-Consequences of his brother’s envy
-Consequences of Reuben’s compromise
-Consequences of Jacob’s favoritism
Sometimes we feel like we have been cast into a pit, do we not? We feel as though we are trapped, and that there is no way out of it. We feel cut off from our friends, family, and brethren. We feel as though there are no solutions. And sometimes it is our own prideful fault, is it not? Sometimes it was helped brought about by others, and their actions or compromises. Yet we see that Joseph continued to follow God, and much good was accomplished.
Genesis 45:1-11 -Joseph, as Pharoah’s second, is revealed to his brothers
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 38:1-3 -Jeremiah gives an unpleasant pronouncement
Jeremiah 38:4-6 -Jeremiah is oppressed for the message
Jeremiah 38:7-13 -Jeremiah is rescued from the pit by Ebed-Melech
Sometimes we feel like we are in a pit and alone, because of bringing God’s word, do we not? We feel hopeless, trapped, despondent, and don’t think we’re accomplishing anything. People don’t like the message, so into the pit goes the messenger! Yet, we see that God provided the way out, often from an unexpected direction. Ebed-Melech was not the most likely of people to rescue Jeremiah, yet that’s who rescued Jeremiah.
David
Psalm 40:1-5 -Praise for God for His deliverance
Psalm 40:6-8 -Obedience required - looking ahead to Christ
Psalm 40:9-10 -Proclaimed God’s greatness
Psalm 40:11-15 -Asking for God’s further deliverance
Psalm 40:16-17 -Praise for God, thankfulness for His compassion
David, in this psalm dwells on God’s deliverance. He was not physically in a pit, but like all of us, he often was emotionally. His enemies pursued him, danger awaited him at every turn. Yet we see that through faith, through pursuing righteousness, God provides an escape and delivered David from the “horrible pit.”
Our God can, and will, deliver us. When we are thrown into a pit, whether through our own actions or through the actions of others, God will provide a way out. Even if things seem to get worse, it works for the glory of God if we take it. When we despair, remember this. When we feel that we cannot go on, remember Joseph. Remember Jeremiah. Remember David.
Often we feel discouraged as we strive to follow Christ. Sometimes we despair of our tasks, and we feel as though we are all alone in the bottom of a pit with now way out.
Joseph
Genesis 37:1-4 -Background of Joseph’s relationship with family
Genesis 37:5-11 -Joseph’s dream of dominion, brother’s reaction
Genesis 37:12-20 -Brothers plot to kill Joseph
Genesis 37:21-22 -Reuben’s Compromise
Genesis 37:23-36 -Consequences of Joseph’s Pride
-Consequences of his brother’s envy
-Consequences of Reuben’s compromise
-Consequences of Jacob’s favoritism
Sometimes we feel like we have been cast into a pit, do we not? We feel as though we are trapped, and that there is no way out of it. We feel cut off from our friends, family, and brethren. We feel as though there are no solutions. And sometimes it is our own prideful fault, is it not? Sometimes it was helped brought about by others, and their actions or compromises. Yet we see that Joseph continued to follow God, and much good was accomplished.
Genesis 45:1-11 -Joseph, as Pharoah’s second, is revealed to his brothers
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 38:1-3 -Jeremiah gives an unpleasant pronouncement
Jeremiah 38:4-6 -Jeremiah is oppressed for the message
Jeremiah 38:7-13 -Jeremiah is rescued from the pit by Ebed-Melech
Sometimes we feel like we are in a pit and alone, because of bringing God’s word, do we not? We feel hopeless, trapped, despondent, and don’t think we’re accomplishing anything. People don’t like the message, so into the pit goes the messenger! Yet, we see that God provided the way out, often from an unexpected direction. Ebed-Melech was not the most likely of people to rescue Jeremiah, yet that’s who rescued Jeremiah.
David
Psalm 40:1-5 -Praise for God for His deliverance
Psalm 40:6-8 -Obedience required - looking ahead to Christ
Psalm 40:9-10 -Proclaimed God’s greatness
Psalm 40:11-15 -Asking for God’s further deliverance
Psalm 40:16-17 -Praise for God, thankfulness for His compassion
David, in this psalm dwells on God’s deliverance. He was not physically in a pit, but like all of us, he often was emotionally. His enemies pursued him, danger awaited him at every turn. Yet we see that through faith, through pursuing righteousness, God provides an escape and delivered David from the “horrible pit.”
Our God can, and will, deliver us. When we are thrown into a pit, whether through our own actions or through the actions of others, God will provide a way out. Even if things seem to get worse, it works for the glory of God if we take it. When we despair, remember this. When we feel that we cannot go on, remember Joseph. Remember Jeremiah. Remember David.
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