SOAP 01/31/2015; Exodus 2:6

Today's reading: Exodus 2

S) "⁶ When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews’ children.'"

Exodus 2:6 (NASB)

O) So much of the Exodus depended on Moses being raised in the house of Pharaoh, it is difficult to imagine how history might have looked had this princess seen him differently. It was clear he was a Hebrew boy, and her father issued a decree to kill all Hebrew boys. It is easy to imagine this much of the story going differently, that she might have ignored this baby, or even just ordered him killed on the spot. However, she did not look on him with contempt or resentment. Instead, God's grace was upon Moses even this early in his life, and to accomplish the will of the LORD, this princess looked on Moses with pity.

A) God's grace has gone before me, it always is before me, and I am humbled by that fact. I cannot know how many instances I have found favor in the eyes of others, and avoided catastrophe or worse, all because of the sovereign grace and will of my Father God. He was never obligated to preserve me, not from a time before I was subservient to Him. I am promised eternal life through Jesus Christ, but I am not promised temporal life. And yet, He has been gracious all of the days of my life, to keep me here. Only God can truly know the lengths to which He has gone, in graciously keeping me from harm. And all of that grace is for one simple reason: His pleasure. He did not have to do so, He chose to do so because it was His will to do so. This is a powerful and humbling truth. Like that crying baby, who would become Moses, in order that he might lead the nation of God out of captivity, God sees me as a helpless babe. He sees me, and draws me to Himself, but not randomly or arbitrarily. He has a purpose to accomplish. While my life might not influence the millions that Moses was leading, I am compelled by this grace and love to seek the purpose for which I was saved. God draws me to Himself, because of a love and grace that is only through His will, and so it is that same sovereign will that I will seek.

P) Father, if I tried to chronicle my life story, recording each instance of grace that I could identify, I might never be able to finish such a writing. So good You have been, that words may actually fail me, if I tried to describe every instance. And that is only in reference to the grace I have known, the grace about which I have been made aware. I exist on earth, solely because of Your will to keep me alive. With that thought in mind, I am unceasingly thankful. I like being alive. I enjoy my wife, kids, ministry, job, and all of the rest of my life. God, You have been good to me beyond anything I could really ask. But, in all of that grace, it is only because of Your will. Because of all of that love which You have displayed toward me, I want to respond in obedience, glorifying Your name. It is because of Your will that I am alive, and so it is for Your will that I want to live. Reveal Your will to me, open my eyes to see it, and my ears to hear it. Help me to identify what I am to do, to accomplish Your will in my life each day. Thank You for the mercy when I sin, and the grace when I fail. Use me, in spite of me, and let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/30/2015; Genesis 49:28

Today's reading: Genesis 49

S) "²⁸ All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him."

Genesis 49:28 (NASB)

O) Israel was literally on his death bed. He gathered all twelve of his sons together to bless them before he passed away. The blessings don't all sound very, well, blessing. In fact, some, like those for Simeon and Levi, sound a little more like a curse. Others seem to be exactly in the middle of those two, like that for Gad. But through all twelve, and in summary in this verse, we see how Israel approached his sons as individuals. He was acutely aware of who each of his sons were. He knew the details of their personalities and histories. He was familiar, and he prayed blessings over them accordingly.

A) Sometimes I have a tendency to want to pray for each of my kids in the same way. Not just with the same sort of "outline" as I pray, but more exactly the same. For instance, if I pray for my son to have wisdom, I sometimes feel guilty that I didn't pray that for my daughters as well. After all, who doesn't want wise daughters? What I need to remember, though, is that God may very well be helping to guide my prayers according to His will, by the Holy Spirit working in me as I pray. As I consider who each of my children are, as individual people, thinking of their strengths and weaknesses, their desires and fears, and their character and faith in God (where they are so far, as they are still young); I should be praying different things for each child. What my son needs is not the same as what my older daughter needs. Similarly, what I should ask God to do for my younger daughter, maybe I should not ask Him to do for my older daughter. There will still be things that I pray the same for each of them, but I will also submit myself to be used by God, to pray for them as He might lead me, as individuals with different needs and different plans, according to what God the Father wants for them.

P) Father, if You are half as good to my children, as You have been to me, then I will die a happy man. That still seems like a woefully narrow understanding of goodness, though. What is half of eternal goodness, except eternal goodness still? I want to pray for Your will to be done in the lives of my children, and I want to be an instrument in Your hands as I pray. Lead me to pray more directly in line with Your will for them, Father God. Open my eyes and my ears, so that I am not wasting my breath, praying for things that are outside of Your plans for them. In prayer and in everything else, help me see them as individuals. Make me more and more aware of the details of who they are, so that I can be the dad you intend me to be for them. I want to reflect some portion of fatherhood to them, that You are to all of us. Be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/29/2015; Genesis 47:8-9

Today's reading: Genesis 47

S) "⁸ Pharaoh said to Jacob, 'How many years have you lived?' ⁹ So Jacob said to Pharaoh, 'The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning.'"

Genesis 47:8-9 (NASB)

O) Despite the melodramatic tone of Jacob's response, there is a subtle piece of wisdom found in it. Instead of simply saying that he had lived 130 years (even if he still wanted to be a Debbie Downer about it), Jacob used very particular wording. He said, "The years of my sojourning..." which is also sometimes translated as "pilgrimage." While he was, in fact, sojourning in Egypt at that exact time, he was clearly not there for 130 years. It is also evident that he was making a reference to something else, when he used the same wording about his fathers. A pilgrim is someone on a journey, with a final destination. While Abraham and Isaac were both promised a land of their own, in the land of Canaan, it is easy to see their entire lives as a sojourning, but Jacob actually lived in Canaan. While he was forced out because of the famine, before ever attaining a national presence, it's more difficult to define him as a life-long pilgrim. The root of his purpose, for using the wording he did, is actually found in John 18:36, when Jesus tells Pilate that the kingdom of God is not of this world, not of this realm. Despite the lack of ancient Jewish text describing an afterlife, there was still and understanding that life on earth was still in-between, temporal, or impermanent. They might not have known the details of their destination, but they knew life on earth was a journey to somewhere else.

A) We know the destination! Jesus came to complete the picture, to fill in the gaps - indeed to stand in the gap! When Jesus came to be the intermediary, reconciling man to God, He made it very clear that there was life after death. It is important to remember, that there is life after death for everyone, not just followers of Jesus. The difference, is whether that eternal existence would be spent with our Father God or in eternal suffering (see Matthew 25:31-46). So, whether my days are sorrowful, as Jacob seemed to think his were, or my days are full of happiness and pleasure, as they mostly are, I will rest in peace and joy at the end of my days. During my life, good times or bad, I will remind myself that life on earth is indeed a sojourning, as I make my way to my final home, His kingdom.

P) Father, eternal promises are difficult for me to perceive. You have made it clear, and thankfully so, what Your eternal promises are. I am so grateful for Your Word, and for the promises I have. But, it can be difficult for me to remember them during the chaos and distractions of daily life. There is still a tendency for my flesh, this perishing, temporary body, to get wrapped up in the temporal, dying world. So help me stay focused, Father God, on the eternal nature of Your kingdom, on the eternal nature of my life. Help me to prioritize my attention, efforts, and time on the things that will go on beyond this world. Primarily, remind me to invest myself in You and my loved ones. Open my eyes to see that, and my ears to hear Your rebuke, whenever I am distracted by things that don't matter. Remind me that I am on my way to a final home, and let every step I take be taking me in the right direction. Lead me by the Holy Spirit, to keep in step with You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/28/2015; Genesis 46:33-34

Today's reading: Genesis 46

S) " ³³ When Pharaoh calls you and says, 'What is your occupation?' ³⁴ you shall say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,' that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians."

Genesis 46:33-34 (NASB)

O) The word "loathsome," used here, is also translated as "an abomination." That is strong language, Joseph used. Egyptians hated shepherds, and his entire family was just that. He warned his family to be honest about their work, though, because Joseph knew how Pharaoh would react. He knew that they would be separated into a land that could become their own, in the land of Goshen. Despite God bringing them into a foreign land, that hated their livelihood, they needed to face it without fear. God was in the middle of doing a mighty thing, in providing for this fledgling nation.

A) There is a lot of foreshadowing in these verses, to the warnings and promises Jesus made (see Luke 6:22, for example). There was a long period of time, when being a Christian in this country was a given. While I'd still rather be a Christian in the United States than any other country, it's getting harder and harder to open about my faith, without feeling the pressure of misconceptions, ridicule, or even open disdain. The Bible is pretty clear, this is only going to get worse. The important thing for me to remember, is that the opposition I may face about who I am is planned by God. Joseph warned his family to be truthful because there was a plan to use the social opposition for God's purposes. In a similar way, I need to trust that the social opposition I feel about who I am, who I have been since I was a youth until now, this may still glorify God and fulfill His plans.

P) Father, Your plans are so much bigger than I can know. You see everything in truth and light, and nothing is hidden from Your sight. You know all things, in all time, from every point of view. Nothing surprises You, and You are always prepared. No one could ever give You advice about how to proceed, or give input about what may come to pass. You know it all and make no mistakes. You warned Your followers, Lord, that there will be hatred for being a disciple of Jesus. Let me take comfort, if I ever face true persecution, that I am only being treated as my master was treated. Everything up until that point, let me focus only on glorifying You, Father. Let Your will be done, even using social opposition as an opportunity to allow You to bless me and accomplish Your plans. Let Your will be done in my life, but also in Your kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/27/2015; Genesis 44:27-29

Today's reading: Genesis 44

S) "²⁷ Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons; ²⁸ and the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he is torn in pieces," and I have not seen him since. ²⁹ If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.'"

Genesis 44:27-29 (NASB)

O) By a clever plan, Joseph had arranged it so that Benjamin would be accused of theft and that his brothers, in their hasty denial, would offer to be brought into slavery, the one with whom Joseph's cup was found (which Joseph had planted in Benjamin's sack). When they were brought back before Joseph, and he was preparing to take Benjamin captive (who was his full brother, as they were the only two children of Rachel), Judah stepped forward with the words above. It was a noble thing that Judah offers himself in place of Benjamin. It was a questionable thing that Joseph schemed this way. But what really came through in this particular passage, was the error of Israel (Jacob). He had placed such a high value on Rachel, and by association both Joseph and Benjamin, that the rest of his children were going to extreme lengths in order to avoid his meltdown. This scene would look much different, if Israel wasn't so dramatic about Benjamin's life. It was unjust toward the rest of his children, and most importantly, it was rebellious toward the LORD. Later, Joseph would humbly acknowledge that God did wondrous things through the treachery of his brothers (see Genesis 50:20). If Israel had humbly put his life, and that of his family, under God's sovereignty from the start, there would have been a lot of grief avoided.

A) There is only so much a person can prepare. I can make all of the plans in the world, trying to evaluate every contingency, but it's all futile because only God knows what will happen (see Proverbs 19:21). It is a serious mistake, if I allow anything or anyone to become "my world," except for the LORD Himself. Only God should have that level of importance in my life. Only He is worthy of that level of attention, and also He is the only one who will never let me down. Only God is completely dependable, unchanging, perfect in His love, and sovereign in His will. I place complete trust in my wife and our marriage, and I am committed for life, but I also acknowledge that the LORD could take her whenever He pleases. If she is "my world," then I am wrecked when God's plans for my marriage contradict my own. The same is true for my children, my ministry, my job, and on and on and on. What Israel was really doing, was holding his life hostage against God's sovereignty. I cannot allow myself to do the same. Conversely, I can literally only imagine the emotional state I would be found in, if my wife or children were suddenly taken to the LORD. However, when I am completely humbled before His sovereignty, and completely convinced of His lovingkindness and justice, then I can be comforted in knowing that His plans will still be done (see Romans 8:28). I can never really prepare myself for that kind of tragedy, but I can be determined now, to trust my Lord completely, and rest in Him through every storm. In any tragedy, I will seek His will, and let the Holy Spirit lead me and comfort me, as He is promised to do.

P) Father, I place all of my faith and trust in Your lovingkindness, because You have proven Yourself to be unfailingly good. I have seen it in my own life, and it is written throughout the truth of the Bible. Your reputation precedes You, and You have never disappointed me. Convict me, Father God, if I am ever placing too much value on anything temporal. Every tragedy, every struggle and hardship, is only another magnificent opportunity for You to be glorified, my Lord. Whatever You will to happen, may it happen, so that my life stands as a testament to Your faithfulness, peace, joy, hope, and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/26/2015; Genesis 42:28

Today's reading: Genesis 42

S) "²⁸ Then he said to his brothers, 'My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.' And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, 'What is this that God has done to us?'"

Genesis 42:28 (NASB)

O) There was a severe famine in the region, including both Egypt and Canaan, but God prepared Joseph for it. In fact, this was the reason Joseph was elevated to the position he held (second only to Pharaoh). Because of the famine, ten of Israel's sons went to Egypt to buy grain, leaving Benjamin at home. Joseph desired to see all eleven of his brothers at once (and his father, for that matter), so he feigned suspicion of treachery. He allowed 9 of the sons to buy grain and return, but holds Simeon hostage. He instructed them to return home with the grain they purchased, get Benjamin, and then return to get Simeon. Only then would he believe they were not spies. As the brothers were leaving, one of them discovers the money he spent on grain was returned in his sack, and indeed all of their money was returned to them with their grain (see v.35). What is particularly telling, is the reaction they have to finding this money. They were right, to believe God's sovereign hand was at work in their circumstances, but they allowed their other hardships to skew their view of our gracious God. Because they thought they were in trouble with Pharaoh, and because they knew they were guilty for their treachery against Joseph, they assumed the worst about the LORD. Make no mistake: they deserved punishment for their treatment of Joseph. God intended to bless them, though.

A) My understanding of who God is cannot be swayed by my perception of my own circumstances. I must rely solely on the Word of God, to determine His character. Receiving their money back could easily have been seen as a blessing from the LORD, and had they sought God they might have learned the truth about their brother. As it was, they were unnecessarily anxious. This is a lesson in confession, prayer, and study of the Bible. If my study of the Bible informs my view of God, then I will also pray for direction in times of stress and times of blessings. If I am confessing my sins, and repenting, then I will be freed from guilt and shame will not affect my ability to correctly perceive my circumstances.

P) Father, I don't want the circumstances of my life to alter my understanding of who You are. You have been so faithful and good, that I should never let any hardship threaten my certainty of Your lovingkindness, patience, grace, mercy, or love. You are unfailingly good to Your servant. Let my mind be constantly in a place, that I understand Your glory is at stake in every moment of my life. Whether there are misunderstandings at work, or disagreements at church, or sickness at home, You can be glorified through all of my life's circumstances. As the Lord my GOD, You deserve glory, regardless of my circumstances. I never want to misunderstand Your blessings, growing wrongly suspicious of Your gifts. Sometimes Your grace feels incredible, but You have proven Yourself constantly credible. When I struggle to see Your grace in a part of my life, let me dig into the Bible with fervor, remembering that it holds all of the truth I could ever need, in knowing Your faithfulness to me. Be glorified in my life, and let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/25/2015; Genesis 40:16-19

Today's reading: Genesis 40

S) "¹⁶ When the chief baker saw that he had interpreted favorably, he said to Joseph, 'I also saw in my dream, and behold, there were three baskets of white bread on my head; ¹⁷ and in the top basket there were some of all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.' ¹⁸ Then Joseph answered and said, 'This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; ¹⁹ within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.'"

Genesis 40:16-19 (NASB)

O) The mistake the baker made is clear in the beginning of v.16, when he assumed he would have a favorable interpretation from Joseph. I think there are three probable reasons why he would have made this mistake.
First, he may not have actually believed that Joseph was interpreting in truth. More like opening a cookie that cans a generic good fortune, he may have simply been looking for something to make himself feel better about his situation. Seeing that the cupbearer had just received such an encouraging word, he may have been looking for nothing more than that.
Second, he may have mistakenly believed that Joseph himself controlled the interpretation he gave. Joseph was, after all, a man in a position of great authority, having been placed in charge of the whole prison where he himself was kept (see Genesis 39:21-23), so maybe he assumed Joseph had some kind of sway or even that he might have been making it all up.
Third, he may have assumed goodness was contagious. He may have understood that Joseph was speaking truth. He may have understood Joseph was given the interpretation from the LORD. He may still have misunderstood God's sovereignty. God is the Creator, free to bless His creations with discretion that requires no explanation. Just because circumstances look similar, does not automatically mean God is going to approach them the same.

 A) The third scenario seems the most likely to me, mostly because I have seen it in the church today. I have struggled myself, with projecting my experiences into someone else's circumstances. Just because I have experienced something similar, does not mean God will do for me what He has done for someone else. Not all of the promises of the Bible are transferable and applicable to my life and circumstances. I cannot let myself be tempted to take scriptures out of context, or demand things from God (by action or prayer). I need to humbly seek God, and allow Him to answer in His sovereignty. I will place my hope on the site, eternal promises, so that I will not be disappointed by my own maligned expectations.

P) Father, throughout my life, Tou have been unfailing in Your goodness, lovingkindness, patience, and love toward me. I confess, though, that I do not always know what is good for me. Furthermore, what I want, and what is good for Your kingdom, do not always align. So Father, I pray that I am humble and patient, to wait and see Your will be done. Help me resist the temptation to assume You will do anything for me, and rely solely on Scripture in defining Yoyr character. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear. Let Your will be done in my life, even if it means my death. Be glorified. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.