1. Faithfulness is sometimes seen as arrogance. Joseph and his brothers. (Genesis 37.1-5)
Joseph's brothers thought that he was full of himself. When in reality, Joseph had a deep commitment to God and his work. He was filled with faith and purpose because of the work of God in his life.
- Joseph's brothers hated him because he was the favorite.
- Joseph's brothers hated him because he was faithful.
- Joseph's brothers hated him because God worked in his life.
- So, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery.
David's brothers were extremely jealous and dismissive of the special attention that David got. They knew that they were just as good as David. That they worked just as hard as him. And yet David had the call of God on his life. God had chosen him to do a special work.
- David was almost forgotten at the anointing of the next king (1 Samuel 16.11)
- David was accused of being irresponsible.
- David was accused of "ambulance chasing."
3. Anyone can qualify to have God working in their life. The Lost Sheep (Luke 15.3-7)
There was nothing special about the lost sheep. That one sheep was just like you and I.
3 comments:
Have you ever experienced either of these thoughts/ emotions?
1. I am just as good/ holy/ faithful as that person.
2. I wish I was more faithful to God.
How do either of these thoughts relate to this topic?
Statement #1 comes to my mind sometimes, but #2 is the one that struck me.
I don't think of Joseph or David or even the sheep as thinking that "I'm just at good as the next guy". Nor do I really think of any of them wishing to be more faithful to God (Maybe David with the Bathsheba fiasco.)
But I do think they are all prime examples of the good that God wants for each of us.
I've been reading Joel Osteen's book that deals with having God's favor. (He reminds me a lot of Norman Vincent Peale with his positive outlook on life. Even though I was very skeptical of Osteen, I've opened my mind to a lot of interesting thoughts.)
When you were talking about arrogance I wandered over to Osteen (that was my first impression of him) & what I have been reading. We are all God's children & He is willing to give to us abundantly. If I get nothing else out of the book, I am trying to be more positive because of what he has said.
We do not have control over what happens in our lives, but we do have control over our reactions to those events. Aren't Joseph & David great examples to live by? And what about dear old Job?
I have to be honest - there have been times when I think to myself, " they need to improve on their spiritual well-being" I am ashamed of this attitude. There have also been times when I think "I will never be as holy as that person" I guess I feel that my relationship with God should never be compared to someone else's.
Being more faithful to God, like Joseph (and David) is something I desire to do. It is not an impossibility. Like you said, we are each one sheep, just as valuable as another.
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