God is at work, even if you cannot see it or feel it. His grace is always active and working. John 5:17 says, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
Pastor Adam pointed out three hidden things that often get in our way of realizing the truth that God is always active and at work: 1) The hidden poison of offense often blinds us; 2) The hidden potential of suffering often keeps us from discerning where God is working and leading. and; 3) The hidden purpose of God is the key to understanding God at work - even in the darkest of times.
Pastor Adam also reminded us that in the Old Testament, the point is not us, personally. The point in these stories is realizing the character of God. How does it make you feel that God is always at work? What about when you are suffering? Can you trust the character of God enough to press into the suffering and look for the hand of God even in suffering?
INVITATION: This week we continue in the "Journey" series about the life of Joseph. What hidden works of God might be going on in your life? Are you open to looking for them?
MONDAY: Genesis 37:12-17: At face value, these verses seem like a lot of detail that don't seem to have much relevance. However, as the entire story unfolds, these verses will be good to come back to and consider the following questions: 1. Do you think it was simply coincidence Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers? 2. That Joseph ran into "a man" (verse 14) who gave him instructions? Many other "coincidences" came together which resulted in Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt and eventually becoming the Pharaoh's "right hand man". How often do you chalk up seemingly meaningless details to "luck" or "coincidence" in your life? There is a type of prayer called "the prayer of examen" that includes looking back on each day, or month, in order to replay it and specifically look for the hand of God in it. Have you ever participated in a spiritual practice such as this?
TUESDAY: Genesis 37:18-28: The plot to kill Joseph is revealed, with only Reuben showing any sense of compassion. The brothers end up selling Joseph for what Pastor Adam points out is a "bargain price." Twenty pieces of silver is half the price of what a healthy slave would have been at that time. The brothers have allowed bitterness, anger and contempt to grow in their hearts. Theologian Dallas Willard wrote and preached against the danger of contempt. Most of us are swimming in a culture in which contempt is encouraged, celebrated, and even honored. You may disagree, but I encourage you to start observing the situations you are in. The culture war is a justification for holding the other side in contempt. Churches do not escape this. We are quick to feel contempt for any number of people for any number of reasons including a bad sermon, poorly led Bible study or small group, a woman taking too much leadership, poor leadership, the wrong kind of music, and the list goes on and on. We are living in an "us vs. them" culture. In so many situations, we habitually exhibit contempt, but it is so subtle we are either blind to it or don't pay attention. Could you be harboring bitterness, anger and/or contempt in your life that may be eating away at your soul? It's easy to think it would NEVER lead to something like murder, but do you honestly think the brothers contempt showed up over night? It likely began in subtle ways in earlier days, and grew and grew over the years. Is there something destructive growing in you?
WEDNESDAY: Genesis 37:29-36: These verses show how Rueben tried to rescue his brother and grieved for Joseph. Then it goes into the cover story the brothers concocted to tell their father. These verses and this story make it clear what a snowball effect sin has. There is a saying: "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." Pastor Adam spoke of the hidden poison of holding offense, hatred and contempt as being like a "volcano" that can erupt at any time. It might even be over something that is justified. Joseph's brothers could make a case that their anger was justified. After all, it is not fair or right for a parent to show obvious favoritism as Jacob did in this family. That wound festered and grew until this entire murderous scheme unfolded. In fact, they likely fed their bitterness, allowing it to snowball. Are you possibly feeding an offense in your life?
THURSDAY: Hebrews 12:15: Scripture refers to "bitter roots" that might grow in our lives that can "cause trouble and defile many." Pastor Adam talked about how bitterness can block discernment in our lives. Basically, it can block the ability to hear God's voice. Are you willing to ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you might have any "bitter roots" in your life? As you consider any trouble in your life, could harboring contempt and bitterness possibly be at the root of it? It's common in such cases to blame someone else. Could that be going on in your life and relationships?
FRIDAY: Romans 5:3-4: No one longs to go through suffering. In fact, we avoid it like the plague! However, it has much hidden potential. When Joseph is at what must have felt like rock bottom, God's purpose began to unfold. Are you in a pit? It could be a pit someone else threw you in, or it could be one you walked into yourself. Either way, are you willing to allow God to work within whatever your current circumstance is? Joseph certainly must have felt unheard and betrayed - by God and by his brothers. God had told him he would be a leader, so what could be going on? How can he lead when he ends up in prison? I'm sure he thought things would look differently and turn out differently. Have you ever felt that way? Many of the strongest believers do all the "right" things yet end up going through intense suffering. What do you think about that scenario and a God that allows that? Have an honest conversation with God about suffering. Tell Him what you think about it. Are you open to considering the hidden purposes of God and not just what seems obvious to our limited viewpoints?
SATURDAY: Isaiah 46:10-11: Do you only consider what is visible and clear and logical or are you open to considering the hidden works of God? As asked above in the "invitation," What hidden works of God might be going on in your life and relationships today and this week?