Psalm 105:19 Until the time came to fulfill his word, the LORD tested Joseph’s character. This entire Psalm is a historical account of how God kept His promise to Abraham and Jacob to give them the Promised Land. It all started when there were just one or two men who wandered around the countryside. And then God sent Joseph (he was kidnapped and sold into slavery, remember? No first class accommodations there!). God spent a long time testing Josephs’ character when Joseph was in jail for something he didn’t do. Those loooooooong periods of time when we feel like we’re trapped (imprisoned) by life might be those times when God is testing our character in preparation for the next period. If God had never humbled Joseph and taught him the lessons he learned in prison then he might have become a proud and contemptuous ruler instead of a wise and caring leader. I doubt it was fun being in prison though. Their prisons probably make our prisons look like the Ritz Carlton. Anyway, the rest of the song recounts how the Israelites grew in number until they were like the stars, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham. They were enslaved because the Egyptians grew afraid of their power and great numbers. In their oppression, they didn’t try to rebel (that we know of) and if God hadn’t sent Moses to stir the pot they may have continued in slavery there forever. But God was only half-way done. He turned the Egyptians against Israel and hardened Pharaoh’s heart. And then He led them out of slavery. One thing I noticed is that when they left, not only were they loaded down with silver and gold (the slaves became rich), but “there were no sick or feeble people among them (vs. 37).” That’s pretty remarkable considering the conditions they were probably living under. And God eventually fulfilled the second promise, the one He made to Jacob to give the people the Promised Land. He would have fulfilled that promise sooner, too, if the Israelites hadn’t been so stubborn and unruly… but that’s for another time. God’s promises don’t always get fulfilled immediately. Sometimes it takes a generation or more to see their completion… but just like with Abraham and Jacob, God keeps His word. Sometimes it just takes some testing of character to get it all started.
Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. This whole trials and rejoicing and all that has been on my mind lately. Since my family seems to be stuck in a loop of the same or similar problems and trials, I sure hope I’m building something good. I suppose endurance is one of those things. It really gets frustrating sometimes to be as old as I am and not really be more financially secure. I know it’s tough on my husband because he feels it’s his fault in a lot of ways (which it really isn’t), especially since he’s supposed to be the provider and all that. And I sure hope that we’re building character, too. Building character always reminds me of that Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin’s dad tells him that he’s building character. It’s not the most spiritual of things, but I’m going to post a couple here because I love Bill Watterson’s cartoon series and because it’s relevant. Last thought on endurance and character and all of that. I suppose that rejoicing in the clouds and not just in the silver lining reminds us that God can work through anything. The clouds just make His solutions that more amazing.
Amos 4:13 For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name! This is a powerful name. It’s also one that you don’t necessarily hope to hear in the context that Israel heard it. In this verse we get a small glimpse of some of the power associated with The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. He shapes mountains. He stirs up winds. He turns the light of dawn into darkness. He walks on the heights of the earth. But my favorite is He reveals His thoughts to mankind. These are no small feat. I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I shaped mountains or stirred up the wind. This name is indicative of God’s power and authority, not just over Heaven’s armies, but also over mankind. Things that are impossible for us are child’s play for The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. That’s pretty intense. So what? I don’t know. For me this reminds me that God is more powerful than I usually remember. Therefore, He’s able to take care of any situation I’m in. If He can shape mountains, then shaping my life and my situations should be pretty easy. It also reminds me that He has great authority at his beck-and-call. One word from Him and the armies of heaven rally to my defense. And that’s nice backup! In this context, it’s a warning to behave, too. That’s what this name means for me. Your turn!
Jeremiah 22:15 But a beautiful palace does not make a great king!… I, along with so many others, fall into the trap that if it looks pretty, it’s a good thing. I have bought products based on the way they look. It’s pretty! I’ve not bought something because it was ugly. Sad, but true. In our society we glorify and praise the most beautiful people and mock or ignore the ones that aren’t. We choose the pretty house, sometimes not bothering to check about the structural integrity. Our county looks beautiful from the surface, we’re free and we’re wealthy, but underneath there are serious issues that are unresolved. Like God says in this verse, a beautiful palace doesn’t make the king a great king. Beautiful things and beautiful people don’t mean that those things and people are strong and good examples to follow. It’s like the verses in the New Testament that talk about inner beauty. I like this because it’s very straightforward. It’s another way of saying “going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.” If we look great on the outside, even saying all the right things, but aren’t kind and loving to those people around us, if we don’t take care of those who are weak, then we are empty shells of what God wants us to be. So, maybe the next time you go to the spa and get a massage or get your eyebrows waxed or whatever maintenance you do (me included) it would be good to also take some time to beautify the inside. Just a thought. I struggle with this, too.