Name: Josh
Scripture: Genesis 48-49
Genesis 49: 22-25
22 Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23 With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility.24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25 because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast and womb.OAP: As Israel is blessing all his children, he repeatedly states that Joseph in particular has been successful throughout life and overcome the harm of various assailants (including his own brothers as they abandoned him). Jacob emphasizes that this is only due to the blessings God has bestowed upon Joseph, and the strength and protection provided by the hand of the Holy Spirit. Joseph sets an example through his dependency upon the Lord for guidance.
I have a hard time looking to God for answers to little mundane things or to ask for counsel in everyday decisions, and seem to only come to Him if there's something I can't handle on my own. Shouldn't God be the first person we turn to? Why do I constantly try to act independently and of my own will when I know God is so much bigger than me and I am not adequate?
My prayer: Lord teach me to surrender every detail of my life to Your will as Joseph did. Let my thoughts not dwell on my own strength and capability to tackle what is thrown at me, but rather on your blessings and faithfulness to see me through oppression. I ask for the ability to remember that every decision I make should be brought before you, God, that I can not go it alone. Focus my eyes to see that the fruit of my efforts only exists because of Your unfailing grace and provision.
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4 comments:
Without fail, when I hear somone speaking of asking God about the little things I remember one of Ryan's talks. "Should I have two pieces of toast this morning or one?" That left a huge impact on me for some reason....
It's SUPER difficult to consult God with these kinds of things though. First of all, how do we know what His answer is, or if He chose to answer us? Secondly, how do we know whether the mundane decisions will have any real impact on our lives or in our relationship with Jesus? It is all so confusing to me.
I totally agree with you scott its been bugging me a lot lately. Chad what talk are you referring to, i dont think im familiar with that one.
Honestly I wasn't even there for that talk,we were still in JH, yet just that one line makes it one of my favorites. A big jump in the prayer about everything logic. Lately I have been reading a good amount of Victorian novels so the idea that the mundane things can matter has been impressed onto me. I always have had the image of "You trusted me with something stupid, here is why I wanted you to do this thing which seems to have no implications" -> Implications aka coincidence
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