Thoughts From Day 9

You rob yourself of rest and peace when you turn to other people for support ahead of the Lord. Don’t forget who you are. You are not identified by an earthly bloodline; you are a child of God, adopted by the Blood of Christ into the kingdom that cannot be shaken. Whether your loved ones rise to your aid or not, the Lord is with you, and He doesn't need anyone's help to bring about His will.

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Genesis 37 relates the story of a young man named Joseph, and the beautiful coat given him by his father, Jacob, who favored Joseph above his brothers  Some people believe that Joseph was guilty of prideful bragging when he told his brothers about his wonderful dreams of how they would bow to him, but I don't think so. He was little more than a child, and the dreams that came to him were compelling, like nothing he'd experienced before. And so he told his brothers all about it! He didn't understand they already resented him because of his father's adoration of him. Joseph's repeated stories of dreams that portrayed him in the role of one who would rule over his brothers fanned their jealousy and resentment into a killing rage.

Years later, when Joseph had been made a ruler in Egypt, he had grown in wisdom, experience, and Godliness.  When his brothers arrived in Egypt, Joseph no longer had need to say, “Look at me! I am chosen!”  He didn’t have to say it; his royal station spoke for him.  He had been humbled through slavery, and so when he was elevated to royal status he remained free of pride.  Most importantly, he gave God the glory.  

The Lord is our vindicator against the injustices we face.  If we can humbly refrain from taking matters into our own hands, we will find vindication when God brings his promises to fruition. Only the Lord can create humility in the hearts of those who have judged us, because He works through circumstances we could not have created for ourselves.   

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Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).