What Lies Ahead - Genesis 45:7

Genesis 45:7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (NIV)

            Sometimes I wonder why God brought me from Scotland to become a pastor in the United States. The trans-Atlantic move initially disrupted our family and caused some painful separation from our friends, but I believe that God’s hand was preparing the way and His will was being fulfilled for some purpose or purposes that I still cannot always comprehend. Whatever the reason, I hope that what God wants with my life is still being done.

            No matter how often I read or hear about the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, his encounter with his brothers in Egypt amazes me. When he proceeds to forgive them of the past by declaring all that happened was God’s doing, it touches my heart deeply. Instead of punishing them for selling him, Joseph finally pardons and embraces them. Rather than getting revenge, Joseph gives glory to God for directing his life to the point where he can offer his whole estranged family salvation. It’s a wonderful story of forgiveness and love, purpose and meaning, which still inspires many people today.

            Perhaps we should all take the time to reflect on our own journey and think about the wonders God has shaped and performed in our lives. We all have special moments, choices, and events which change us completely. If we see them as a part of God’s purpose for our lives, then we will come to understand that there is a higher hand in all that we seek to accomplish and do. Perhaps, like Joseph, we will realize how often God walks ahead of us and keeps all of our tomorrows in His hands.

Point to ponder

What are the most crucial events in my life? How was God involved in them?

Prayer:  Lord God, Your ways are often mysterious and we cannot fully fathom Your thoughts. Help us to look back to the past and see those moments of Your kindness and concern, as well as Your help and healing throughout our lives. Keep us faithful to Your will and continue to direct our journey. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. The church’s website can be found at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘Promised Blessing.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Promise.

4 Minute Devotions: The Divine Attributes of GPS

I’ve never been in a car with GPS (Global Positioning System), but it must be fascinating. I’m traveling to a funeral this morning in a remote part of East Tennessee and I’m worried about getting lost. I’ll look at some maps and even have Mapquest print me out a route, but this is one of those occasions that I wish I had a GPS in the car. I could do with a mechanical voice telling me which way to go in order to get there on time. I’ll just have to depend upon my map reading skills and instinct. As a last resort, I’ll even stop at a gas station and ask for directions!

Podcast version here

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

I love this verse from Isaiah. It encapsulates what we all need in our lives each day. We all go through times of trouble and anxiety, confusion and fear. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, before we made any decisions, we could hear a still, small voice telling us what to do, how to proceed, and where to go?

I guess that’s why we should read the Bible more often. It helps us to build up our faith and knowledge about God’s words and ways. If we are familiar with the scriptures, then we will know how to make better choices in our lives, and how to choose the best paths that will please God. You could say that with the Bible in our hearts and minds, we have a divine GPS within us – God’s Perfect Scriptures – that will help us to overcome our fears, show us what to do, and help us to fulfill our dreams. If we make and take time to really read and steadily study the Bible, then I firmly believe that we will hear God’s voice in our hearts, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for Your Holy Book which has inspired and directed our people for many generations. Give us a heart for learning about Your ways and works. Enable us to be empowered and guided by Your sacred words, no matter what we face. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: No Hesitation

Of all the kings in the Bible, I love Hezekiah the best. He’s under-rated when it comes to biblical kings, but he’s one of the most faithful characters that you’ll find in the good book. In a time when Israel and Judah were dabbling with apostasy and idolatry, Hezekiah is one of the few leaders not to be seduced by the sins of the people. And through his leadership, the Jews are given fifteen extra years to mend their ways before they are punished with exile.

Podcast version here

Bible Verse of the Day
2 Kings 20:10 "It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps," said Hezekiah. "Rather, have it go back ten steps."

I love this part when Isaiah asks him about getting a sign from the Lord. He doesn’t hesitate to ask for a hard sign. He wants real proof that God will do what God has promised, so he makes the task harder by asking for shadows to go backward against the sun’s motion, rather than follow their natural courses. It goes against the law of physics, but our God is an awesome God and in this case, He was really pleased with Hezekiah. The daylight comes and the shadow retreats. Isaiah fulfills the prophecy and Hezekiah is healed. It’s a remarkable moment and a strong testimony to the faithfulness of the old king.

We all ask God to help and heal us at times because we believe in God’s promises. We hope and pray for better things to happen in our lives because we have faith in God’s blessings. But sometimes God knows best and during those moments, it’s hard for us to accept that God will not answer our prayers. Old Hezekiah got fifteen extra years, but no more than that. When it came for his time to lie with his ancestors, God’s blessing was over.

You may be asking God for help today, or perhaps He’s already heard and answered your prayers. Don’t take Him for granted or forget to praise Him this Sunday. Hezekiah faithfully served God before and after his healing, and even faced down a powerful enemy who sought to conquer and enslave his people. It’s faith that counts in the midst of all our challenges – a faith that will last us throughout our lives.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the example of Hezekiah and for the blessings that You gave him because of his faithfulness to You. Today, we may face challenges of our own, so we pray for Your presence, guidance, and help to overcome our fears and worries. Be with us in all that we hope to accomplish. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Devotions: Escaping Envy

Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

Psalm 73 is one of my favorite psalms. It deals with jealousy and envy. The writer feels that he is losing out of the spoils of life and riches of success. He is faithful to God, but not wealthy. He is a good person surrounded by ‘evil’ people who possess more than he owns.

Podcast version here

He’s suffering from clerical envy, or what I call holy jealousy. And I know exactly how he feels. Pastors are meant to be quiet, unassuming, and humble people. We are supposed to be examples of peace, happiness, and contentment. But we’re not. When it comes to our churches, most of us are territorial and always comparing our failures to the successes of other pastors. I guess it’s a mixture of insecurity and narcissism, instead of faith and loving God.

Anyway, if you take time to read the whole of Psalm 73, you’ll know exactly what I mean. The psalmist expresses his disappointment with God and vehemently points out the wickedness of others. He is essentially saying to God, “I have done everything right and been perfectly faithful. So, why aren’t you blessing me, God?” It’s a question that pastors constantly ask, as well as other Christians in their own workplaces.

The turning point in the psalm occurs when the writer realizes that possessions are only temporary and that his life is meant to serve God, not himself. That’s the part that I like the most because it reminds me not to value myself through the things I own, but to count myself fortunate that I am owned by God. In the end, all of my possessions will turn to dust and my ambitions will all fade away. In the end, only God will be important to me.

Prayer: Lord God, I am sorry that I allow envy and greed, jealousy and ambition to overwhelm my spirit at times. I am sorry that my insecurity and desires take away my contentedness and satisfaction with life. Forgive me, Lord, for surrounding myself with possessions that I cannot hold on to, or things that I will have to leave behind. Help me to focus on the eternal goodness of Your love and the everlasting blessings of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Godly Guidance in Uncertain Times

I love looking at maps. If you want to keep me occupied and quiet for a while, you just have to give me a map and I will pore over it for ages. I love to look at the topography of an area or find interesting back roads to places I want to visit. Whenever I’m driving any distance by myself, I usually travel along the B routes, so that I can pass through some small towns and sight-see.

Podcast version here

I guess I learned my map skills in the Boy Scouts. I remember one year that I had to hike twelve miles using my map and compass in order to be awarded an Orienteering badge. I was dropped off at a predetermined location early in the morning, and was given 8 hours to complete the journey. I had to follow map co-ordinates and describe what I found at different locations. It was a wonderful experience and I passed with flying colors. Orienteering is a skill that I thankfully still have, although there have been occasions when I’ve had to stop at a gas station to pick up a new map, as well as ask for local directions.

Bible Verse of the Day

Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

I also love reading the book of Isaiah, for the ancient prophet says many things that touch my soul. He belonged to a wandering people who, in his time, were exiled in a foreign land. The fact that Isaiah emphasized to them that God would guide them always, was a source of great encouragement for his people. They thought that they were isolated and separated from God; Isaiah reassured them that God had never let them out of His sight, and that He was still in control of their destiny.

We all need to hear words like that throughout our lives. When we go through times of trouble and fear, uncertainty and doubt, Isaiah can speak to us across the ages to reassure us that God will guide us, even through the roughest patches in our lives. We may not know or understand what is happening, but God always knows the way ahead, so we can depend upon Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are our Guiding Light and the Holy One who shows us the path to God. Lead us day by day and help us to confidently place our lives and times in Your Sacred Hands. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.

(After writing this post, I was sent an email from a blogger who directed me to this video of a singer from Tennessee called Candy Coburn. The song is entitled "Hard Times."

Click here to watch and listen to the video or put the following in your browser

http://www.famecast.com/contest/stage_top10.php?stage_id=47&round_id=222&artist_id=1648