Introduction

For the scope of this post, I will briefly summarize the narrative of Joseph.

God began His work on Joseph while he was a teen. Joseph’s story begins in Genesis Chapter 37 verse 2. As a young man, Joseph tends to his father’s sheep and reports his brothers’ bad actions. Jacob show favoritism by giving him a “multi-colored” tunic. Jacob’s favoritism and Joseph’s telling of his dreams to his brothers led them to plot against him.

As we learn later in Genesis, God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation. It was the dreams that ultimately led to his ordeal of suffering. His brothers [with the exception of Reuben] planned to kill him. Reuben devised a plan to save him. However, Judah was able to convince the brothers to sell Joseph to traveling merchants. When Reuben returned to remove him from the pit, Joseph had already been sold. The brothers then made a plan to convince Jacob that Joseph had been killed by wild animals.

Joseph is sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. When he interprets the dreams of the chief cup bearer and baker, he is then forgotten until 2 years later when the cup bearer mentions Joseph’s gift to Pharaoh. Joseph properly interprets and explains Pharaoh’s dream of coming 7 years of plenty and drought. Pharaoh promotes him to vizier and Joseph stores grain up for the coming famine years.

Later as the famine worsens, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain. The brothers don’t recognize Joseph. Joseph tests his brothers then in due season reveals himself to them. Later Jacob and his entire family move to Egypt. God uses Joseph to provide for His people who would later increase into a sizable nation within Egypt.

Applicable Lessons from the account of Joseph

1. God communicates with Joseph via dreams which started the process. When God gives us a dream or vision, there is a process that begins. Oswald Chambers refers to this process in numerous devotions. I agree with Chambers that God often has to “mold” “break” us in this process. Joseph suffers separation from his father and family.
2. Joseph had to wait for years not knowing what God was doing! We too will face seasons of uncertainty. The journey of faith that pleases God requires that we walk by faith not by sight!
3. Love for God and righteousness demonstrates character. He faces false accusation(s) when he righteously repels the numerous improper advances of Potiphar’s wicked wife. Her lust turns to hate. Scripture indicates that she came at Joseph numerous times! Yet, Joseph’s love for God and respect for his master guided his behavior.
4. Scripture doesn’t indicate that God revealed His plan for Joseph during his years of separation and imprisonment. Later in Genesis 45:4-7, Joseph recognizes God’s involvement in his life. God may be involved in our lives in ways that we can’t comprehend until later. But we can trust that He is working when we don’t comprehend the whys! Whom do you trust when things don’t make sense?
5. Our sufferings and difficulties like Joseph aren’t purposeless. Genesis 45:5 & 7 reveals that God was saving Jacob’s family through the wicked devices of his jealous brothers.
6. God uses even the wicked plans of others to accomplish His works. Simply, evil doesn’t defeat God’s plans! Through the pages of scripture, we can see how that God works through fallen humans to accomplish His purposes!

Genesis presents Joseph as a gracious, wise, and blessed man who trusts in God, demonstrates righteousness, forgives his brothers, and rises to the second highest position in Egypt! Perhaps the years of uncertainty, loneliness, and difficult led Joseph to deepen his trust and dependence on God! Joseph diligently worked for his masters and remained faithful to God even when in a foreign land! May God grant you the courage, discernment, and hope to persevere during your journey as aliens living in a hostile world!

Waiting on God Part 1: When God doesn’t speak: lessons from Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David.

Purpose and Introduction

The primary focus of this blog will be on Abraham with brief insights from Joseph, Moses, and David. This blog is intended for fellow believers who are enduring the silence of God during a trying time in life. Anyone who dares to walk on the journey of faith will face seasons of life when God seems to be absent/silent. Prayers appear to be unanswered, the fiery trials of life threaten to overwhelm, and God seems to be silent and afar.

You’re not alone in facing these difficult moments. Nor is it a lack of your faith or trust in God. These moments aren’t about your sin or falling away from God. At times we blame ourselves for God’s silence and doubt our faith. We may question God’s love and faithfulness to us. Yet, there’s more to the picture than our fail and limited human minds can comprehend.

If you’re reading this blog, I assume that you want to have a vibrant, growing relationship with God. You, like me, probably want answers for the seemingly absence of God in your life. There are reasons why God seems distant, or silent and each person/situation is similar yet radically different at the same time. My prayer is that you will carefully and prayerfully consider the following Biblical insights and truths! May you find strength, courage, and hope to press ahead in your journey of faith!

Abraham’s years of silence and trials

Abraham’s story begins in Genesis 12 when God calls him to leave his country and family (father’s house). God promises Abraham (v2-3) that He will (1). make him a great nation (2.) bless (3). make his name great (4). make him a blessing (5). bless those who bless him (6). curse those who curse him, and finally (7). make him a blessing to all the families of the earth. Abraham known as Abram at this junction in Genesis is seventy-five years old.

Abraham obeys and sets out. His first trial is a severe famine in the land of Canaan. Abraham is a stranger in Canaan with a large gathering of servants and flocks. He is surrounded by the Canaanites. He moves into the Negev desert region before going to Egypt. Abraham fears for his life and lies to Pharaoh. When God afflicts Pharaoh’s household and Egypt with plagues, Pharaoh sends Abraham away. Abraham will tell the same lie again later to King Abimelech in Chapter 20 when afraid for his safety.

Abraham and Lot then separate with Lot choosing the more fertile Jordan valley. Later in Chapter 14 Abraham gets involved in a war with Lot being captured. Finally in Chapter 15, God promises Abram a son, that God will be a shield, and reward him greatly. God again appears to Abram in Chapter 17 when he is 99 and makes a covenant. God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. Sarah is 90 years and Abraham 100 years old when God finally gives them Isaac.

For a concise read, I left out several notable events that Genesis describes Abraham’s faith journey. While God does appear to Abraham several times over this period of time–the presence/appearance of God is mentioned only a few times. Abraham faced the crises of old age with no son/heir, hostile neighbors, famine, wars, and familial strife. Are you surprised that he and Sarah gave in and tried to help God with Ishmael via Hagar?

Abraham didn’t have a Bible, Youtube, or theology books to help him! All he had was God’s promises and faith that God would be faithful! Take a moment to read Romans chapter four.

https://biblehub.com/nasb/romans/4.htm

Applications from Abraham’s experience

1. Obeying God doesn’t protect or exempt us from facing difficulties in life–Genesis doesn’t record Abram asking God for guidance or God appearing to Abram to warn him to not lie or help God’s promise come about.
2. Abraham faced trials in light of God’s promise(s) to him. The old age/sterile Sarah, famine, and hostile neighbors would seem to contradict God’s gracious promises.
3. Note that God sought out and chose Abraham! God is gracious. He also desires that we have faith. Abraham grows in faith by facing and growing through these trials. God doesn’t cast away Abraham even after Ishmael and the deceptive, self-preserving lies told.
4. Abraham learns that God is faithful to His promises!

What Joseph, Moses, and King David have in common!

Joseph, Moses, and David all endured God’s silence, and trials in their walks of faith. Future posts of this blog series will address each of these giants of faith individually and in depth. However, I desire that you see the common element present in men of faith: long periods of waiting, silence, and God’s promises seemingly broken!

Joseph

Joseph was seventeen years old when God sent him the dreams that would lead to his brothers plotting his death. He was thrown into a pit in wilderness, sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit, forgotten for years in dungeon. There is no record of God appearing to Joseph during any of these time. However, Genesis 39:3, and 39:21 proclaims that “the Lord was with Joseph and made all things prosper in his hand,” and “the Lord extended kindness to him.” It’s likely that Jacob had shared his testimony of God and the accounts of Abraham and Isaac. Joseph probably knew about God’s promises and covenant with his family.

In any case, Joseph’s difficulties began as teen and lasted until his adult life! He was separated from his parents and not so loving brothers for years. He had to survive as a slave and alien in a foreign land. Yet when the story ends we find Joseph a man of grace and wisdom!

Moses

Moses at age forty realizes that something was terribly wrong in Egypt. Moses tried to stop oppression only to be chased into a forty-year desert exile! Moses was eighty years old at the time of the burning bush. Moses too would have learned about God’s promises to his forefathers. How could he reconcile these promises of God with the cruel captivity and enslavement of his people? Also what could an old man tending sheep in the desert do against the might of Egypt? Moses clearly has lost all confidence in himself as we see in his response to God’s call in Exodus Chapter 3 and 4. Moses didn’t hear from God for eighty years! And when God appears, He gives Moses an impossible task that Moses clearly doesn’t want! Egypt is the most powerful nation/empire in the world. Moses personally knew Pharaoh-probably grew up with him! Do you really want to hear from God? Is it possible that He might ask you to do something difficult, painful, seemingly crazy to others?

David

David’s life changed dramatically when the Prophet Samuel anoints him 1 Samuel 16 king. This account doesn’t give us David’s exact age, but he wasn’t yet considered a man. The passage uses the term “all the children” so consider between the ages of 10-15. David would later face Goliath (older teen), serve in Saul’s army, and face Saul’s unrighteous, jealous wrath. Link to quick read on the possible ages of David during key events. I want you to note how that David faced numerous challenges when only a teen/young man! _{^{note 1}}

https://www.gotquestions.org/how-old-was-David.html

Like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, God graciously selected David for a special role/purpose. As others before him, David faced a difficult journey in walking with God. He too was falsely pursued, treated with contempt, and chased into lonely, dark places. He waited for years before being “recognized” as King over Judah at age 30.

Applications

1. God has a purpose for our lives. What we are going through and facing are part of His work in maturing/preparing us for His service. Our sufferings and difficult circumstances having meaning and purpose even when we don’t understand.
2. We can depend on God’s promises and remind ourselves that He is faithful even when we don’t hear from Him during our trials.
3. God’s silence isn’t proof of His absence (Joseph, David). God was blessing and providing for Joseph/David even though they may not have immediately recognized or felt it. ^{note 2}
4. We need to place our hope, confidence and faith in God not on our limited understanding and interpretation of events in our lives! Humans can’t fully understand ^{note 3} what God is planning, doing, or will do in our lives.
5. Walking with God will require patience, courage, and hope as we wait upon God to fulfill His plans for us!

Notes:

1. We must recognize God’s call on young men and women. We are to actively love, serve, and invest in our younger brothers and sisters in faith! Set an example, encourage, listen to, and pray for youth around you. There are numerous young men and women who are seeking God and living for Him! They can benefit from hearing your faith journey and what God has done/doing in your life!

2. Present circumstances and difficulties tend to distort our perception of God and His presence in our lives. We must rely upon God’s Word and His Revealed Nature to accurately view God. Just because we can’t feel, or sense Him doesn’t me He is absent! During hard times, I recommend reading through the Gospels and focusing on how Jesus reveals Himself. The “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John are helpful!

3. God graciously redeems and guides us through His Living Word and Holy Spirit as believers. However, “full” understanding isn’t promised nor likely. God reveals what He needs/desires for us to know. Faith isn’t about having all the answers. Faith is about a relationship!

Introduction

If you were to encounter me at the park with my kites you might think that I was crazy if you watched me. First, you would observe me launching a green delta kite.

As you watch it rise into the sky, it would appear to dance and move erratically as it ascends through various wind speeds fighting it’s way through the turbulent wind eddies. After a few minutes, if all goes well you would notice the kite in stable flight and very high up! I would then cause the kite to begin moving through out the wind window (various clock positions relative to my position) to search out the boundaries and strength of wind. Why would I disrupt the stable flight?

Glad that you asked. There is a method to this seemingly disruptive flight. I first launch the smaller kite to “learn” “discover” the wind speeds at various heights and angles to get ready for an even bigger launch!

The smaller kite shows me the “where” and “how” in relation to proper kite flying before launching the more powerful parafoil kite. In some ways, our lives are like kites in the wind of God’s Ways! God will at times disrupt our stability! Have you considered that the seemingly unrelated and “difficult” moments of your life might be part of God’s work in your life to prepare you for His unique purpose(s)?

Some days it seems “impossible” to fly a kite especially when the winds are shifting or very low. But this is inconsequential in comparison to what Abraham, Sarah, and Moses faced in their lives! Join me as we examine various quotes/insights from Oswald Chambers and Jon Bloom that will encourage and challenge your faith.

What Enoch, Abraham, and Moses have in common

At first glance, it would seem that Enoch, Abraham/Sarah and Moses don’t have much in common! All four walked with God daily facing various trials and important tasks. Abraham and Moses tried to “help” God along with His plan. Sarah encouraged Abraham to have a son via Hagar. Moses observed an Egyptian taskmaster mistreating Hebrew workers. Moses struck down this Egyptian and fled into the desert. Abraham brought conflict and jealousy into his household.

God had a special plan for each of the individuals involved. His plan was ultimately fulfilled! Chambers refers to “getting into God’s stride.” He uses the example of Enoch and later Moses. Remember that God took Enoch to heaven. Link to good article about Enoch with relevant scriptural references:

https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/genesis-5-enoch-man-who-walked-god

Chambers writes

In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of getting into His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God’s stride and His power alone are exhibited.” October 12

The important factor in God’s plan is our daily walking with God. We want to “see the bigger picture.” Chambers reminds us that “He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways.” God trains and disciplines us on a daily basis. As finite humans, we often find ourselves grappling with God and His Infinite Ways! We need eyes of faith to properly discern God’s movement(s) in our lives and plans!

It’s God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible. Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now–get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose. Oct. 12

Walking with God isn’t easy as God will expand our faith and work/move in unexpected ways! Exodus 2:22 indicates that Moses (as an adult) became aware of how the Egyptians were mistreating his people. Like Abraham and Sarah, he wanted to bring about change in circumstances. They all relied on their own power, reasoning, and plans! We too make the same mistake when we attempt to bring about a vision from God apart from Him. One wonderful aspect of God’s Living Word is that it presents people as flawed humans even the ones God calls and uses!

Moses’ Desert Experience and Later Call

Moses spends forty years in the desert with sheep. Chambers describes this time as

God allowed Moses to be driven into empty discouragement, sending him into the desert to feed sheep for forty years. . .In the beginning Moses had realized that he was the one to deliver the people, but he had to be trained and disciplined by God first. He was right in his individual perspective, but he was not the person for the work until he had learned true fellowship and oneness with God. Oct. 13

If you’re experiencing a time of spiritual drought/desert experience, perhaps God is molding you for a later task! I have had times in my life where God has “set me aside” to refocus on Him. God has recently placed me in a season of reflection/renewal after a difficult year of teaching. There are moments when I feel discouraged and forgotten. Like others, I want answers and quick actions from God, but that’s not the real meaning of walking with God! God desires that we just as Abraham/Sarah and Moses learn “true fellowship and oneness with God.”

We must also learn that our individual effort for God shows nothing but disrespect for Him–our individuality is to be rendered radiant through a personal relationship with God, so that He may be “well pleased.” If you are going through a time of discouragement, there is a time of great personal growth ahead. Oct. 13

This last sentence concerning “great personal growth ahead” gives us hope! The journey of faith isn’t meant to be easy, comfortable, or self-fulfilling! We can only find our ultimate fulfillment in God’s Infinite Being! The most important task is to be unified with Christ! It is through our relationship with Christ that God works! Recall how that Moses’ face glowed after he met with God! It was a sign of God’s presence and greatness in Moses’ life.”

Remember that because of Christ’s Atonement we too have access to God’s Presence and even have the indwelling Holy Spirit!

When God’s promises seem impossible: Abraham and Sarah

Abram was an old man when God sent him forth on a journey. For twenty-five long years, he and Sarai waited on the promised child to come. Finally, an angelic visitor came bearing news that Sarai would be pregnant. Can we blame Sarai for laughing? She was ninty-nine years old. She was well beyond the age of child bearing! Yet, the visitor assured the old couple that a son “Isaac” would be coming. Sarai (princess) become Sarah (princess of multitude) and Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of the multitude). This child named after “he who laughs or he rejoices” would come a year later. Abraham and Sarah wouldn’t live to see the multitude of people/tribes that would come years later. But they walked with God and believed His promises. Hebrews 11:8-12

God Expands the boundaries of our faith

Jon Bloom discusses how God “exposed the boundaries of [our] faith–boundaries he means to expand.” pg 94

Jon Bloom Things not Seen, Chapter 14: “God’s Mercy in Making Us Face the Impossible” following quotes from page 94.

Sometimes our difficult circumstances make it seem impossible for God to fulfill his promises. . . Learning to rest in the promises of God occurs in the crucible of wrestling with unbelief–seasons sometimes long seasons, when everything hand on believing that God “gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exit.” Romans 4:17

We will wrestle with doubts, struggles, and times of silence when walking with God. We will face impossible situations and difficulties that will seem to be without solution! God has a purpose for these moments in our lives!

If you’re in such a season, as difficult as it feels, God is being incredibly kind to you. Because it is in such seasons when we really learn that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Genesis 18:14 Abraham and Sarah “grew strong in [their] faith (Romans 4:20) because God pushed them to believe more than they thought was possible. For the sake of our joy, he does the same for you and me.

Summary Points

1. God desires relationship and oneness with us! God’s plan and activity in our lives will draw us closer to Him!
2. Relationship is more important than knowledge or learning. God’s Ways are infinitely above ours and we can’t fully understand Him! Trials lead us to a deeper trust and dependence on God!
3. God will strengthen our faith and will finish the great work that He has for us! Philippians 1:6

For Christ’s glory,

Lee Stanfill

Has God redeemed you? Are there aspects of your life that seem hopeless, lost, or dead? How can we move forward in our lives when our dreams, careers, and/or loved ones are sources of loss and grief? No one is immune from the trials, tribulations, and losses of life. As sinners living in a broken world, suffering and grief surrounds us. How can we find joy? I am including several links on various topics for you to explore for yourself.

Defining Redemption

Redemption is an act of God’s grace, by which He rescues and restores his people.

Jack Zavada defines redemption:

https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-redemption-700693

“Redemption is the English translation of the Greek word agorazo, meaning “to purchase in the marketplace.” In ancient times, it often referred to the act of buying a slave. It carried the meaning of freeing someone from chains, prison, or slavery.

The New Bible Dictionary gives this definition: “Redemption means deliverance from some evil by payment of a price.”” Our English word redemption comes from Latin redimere meaning to “buy back.”

Has God bought you back from your life of sin and separation? We are all in bondage to sin and death until Christ buys us back!

The Misunderstanding–Failure to Recognize

We, like the Disciples, tend to misunderstand God! Many Jews of Jesus’ time turned away from following Christ after the identified Himself as the Suffering Messiah. The 1st century common Jewish people were longing for a messiah to re-establish the Davidic Kingdom of Israel. They wanted the oppression of the Romans and religious leaders to end. The people were burdened with heavy taxation, military occupation, and strict religious laws that made life difficult at best. Perhaps this is why that Jesus promised rest and relief. Jesus frequently taught and healed people to introduce His purpose. Do we really understand Jesus and His place in our lives?

One theme that emerges in reading through the Gospels is how that few people including the 12 Disciples understood Jesus and His purpose. It’s important to remember that the Disciples just like us lived in a world context that defines and shapes our expectations, and outlook on life. They too were caught up in the feverish desire for a militant, triumphant messiah. This thought persisted even into Acts when they asked Jesus if He was going to establish His earthly kingdom! What do you expect from Jesus?

Jesus’ Purpose and Mission (in concise form)

Numerous scriptures guide the correct understanding of Jesus’ arrival. John Piper lists numerous passages on this page:

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-did-christ-come

Jesus came to bear witness to His Father, to obey Him in paying the price for our sins! These topics will be presented in blog form–perhaps as Christmas draws near. Jesus didn’t come to overturn the Roman Empire or to create a utopia for people. It’s important that we recognize the truth(s) of Jesus in order to properly understand Him. Scriptures as a whole (particularly Hebrews 11) remind us of the cost of following Christ. It’s not an easy or popular path to walk! We have to every day die to self and choose to follow Christ!

Our Grief to Joy–Quotes from Lysa Terkeurst: Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life that’s Beautiful Again

I would recommend reading Lysa’s book if you are walking through a time of grief and struggle with forgiveness! Her words have challenged and encouraged me during a difficult season of life.

Lysa references John 16:20-22

Quote Group 1 “I think Jesus knew this where His disciples would be when all of their hope for a better future would soon be hung on a cross and buried in a tomb. . . He didn’t promise their grief would be taken away and replaced with joy. He promised the grief would turn into joy. The grief would produce the joy. The grief was part of the journey, but it would not be the way it would all end.” pg 152-153

I want you to carefully think, pray, and mediate on the grief that is in your life presently! What you are going through is part of the journey! It can lead you closer and deeper to Christ if you will consider the possibility that maybe this present grief will lead to future joy!

Quote Group 2 pg 153

What they had prayed for was someone to free them from the oppression of the Roman government. They got a servant who washed their feet. They wanted a ruler; they got a teacher. The wanted a justice-seeking king; they got a kindhearted healer. Their answer never looked like they thought it would. They thought they were on a journey to Jesus taking the throne, but instead He took up His cross. They thought God would save them. And He did. The disciples were absolutely grieved. . . until they were utterly amazed.

Lysa shares the great pastor Charles Spurgeon’s observation: (paraphrased)

The Apostles don’t appear in any sermons or epistles to have spoken of Jesus’ death with any kind of regret. The gospels mentions their distress and deep sorrow during the crucifixion, but after the resurrection, and especially after Pentecost, we hear of no such grief. C.H. Spurgeon “Sorrow at the Cross Turned into Joy”

This sermon is available online.

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/sorrow-at-the-cross-turned-into-joy/#flipbook/

In short, it seems as though the disciples and later apostles understood Jesus after He had ascended! It took the presence of Holy Spirit and perhaps time/reflection/study to realize the meaning of redemption. Can you recognize God’s presence in your times of difficulty and grief? Are you willing to trust Him even when all seems lost?

Closing Summary Thoughts/Applications

1. Grief, disappointment(s), failure, and loss will be part of our lives.

2. Jesus redeems the lost sinner(s) who repents, believes, and follow Him.

3. Jesus, God, and Holy Spirit works through our grief–He hasn’t abandoned us!

4. God works to turn our grief into joy–this is a process that requires trust and patience.

You can email me at leestanfill@yahoo.com or send message via Facebook. I am open to listening to you share what God is doing in your life!

A fellow pilgrimage seeking the narrow, hard path to Christ,

Lee Stanfill