Growing up ∙∙

Growing up ∙∙

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. – Hebrews 5:8

Genesis 45:5-8

 5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.

 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! He was the one who made me an adviser to the Pharaoh – the manager of his entire palace and the governor of Egypt.

Sadly, our world is rife with disappointment, suffering, mistreatment, and betrayal. When viewed from a human perspective, these adversities are horrific and must be corrected if possible.

The Father does not take pleasure in witnessing the suffering of His people. He recognizes that trials are an inherent aspect of existence on Earth. Instead of eliminating these hardships, the Father chooses to use them as instruments for the growth and development of the children of the King. Suffering is one of the tools He employs to foster spiritual growth, depth, maturity, character, and willing submission to the Father.

Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Consider Joseph’s life, which was marred by numerous setbacks, deceit, betrayals, and treachery. His own siblings plotted against him and sold him into slavery. This led him to Egypt, where he became a servant in Potiphar’s household. Despite these challenges, Joseph’s God-given natural talents and abilities allowed him to excel. However, after being falsely accused and betrayed again, he was imprisoned, seemingly doomed to be forgotten.

Did Joseph become angry, bitter, or hateful? Was he overcome by resentment seeking revenge? Definitely not. Instead, the Father used these arduous years to transform Joseph, fostering his growth into a wise and mature individual. The Father child-trained him. As a result, godly character and integrity were added to his natural brilliance and leadership abilities. But he remained a prisoner until the day the Father appointed for him to be set free. The Father has provided an example of the transformative power of faith and perseverance amidst adversity for all time.

The Father had a plan all along, but it was only at the time of Egypt’s greatest need that Joseph was called upon to rise to the occasion and solve Egypt’s dire problems. Famine was coming, and with it would come certain death from starvation. However, the Father equipped Joseph with a strategy that exceeded beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.

One day, Joseph was a filthy prisoner, a slave in tattered rags. The next day, he was the Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh in authority and power. Not only was Egypt saved from the devastating impacts of famine, but he also ensured the accumulation of ample reserves of grain and other essentials.

Eventually, Joseph’s own brothers came to Egypt to try to purchase grain so that they and their families would not die. They did not recognize Joseph. He chose not to reveal his true identity to them when they arrived. Transformed in appearance and fluent in Egyptian, Joseph now embodied the poise and authority of a high-ranking Egyptian official rather than the Hebrew brother they once knew.

Gone were Joseph’s earlier arrogant pride and boastfulness. Instead, his heart was now characterized by wisdom, gentleness, grace, and forgiveness. The Father’s child training had achieved its intended effect. But Joseph was curious. Had the Father also changed his brothers’ hearts during their years apart? Indeed, the Father had been at work in their hearts during the period of separation. They, too were new men. At the right time, Joseph reveals himself.

Genesis 45:1-4

 1 Joseph could stand it no longer. Many people were in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was.

 2 Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly that the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to the Pharaoh’s palace.

 3 “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.

 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.

Imagine the tears, the kisses, and the hugs.

Reflect for a moment on the Father’s magnificent transformative power. He had done what was seemingly impossible. Genesis is an essential book that includes the beginning of all the Father wants us to know regarding origins. Yet, 15 chapters are devoted to Joseph. Why? The Father is at work in every child of the King to conform us to the image of His son. Joseph shows the way.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ is the God-man. He lived a sinless life, learning obedience through what He suffered. He was always obedient and submissive. He learned firsthand the cost of being obedient in the midst of suffering. He “increased in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:52).

Father thank You. It is true that whom the Lord loves, He disciplines for their good. You seek to produce in us the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

INSIGHT

Difficult times prune away the deadwood in our lives. The accumulated dross needs to be addressed and handled to conform us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hard times are part of the Father’s training for each child of the King.

Hebrews 12:10-11

 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

The Father uses disappointment and suffering to develop character and maturity. This was true even for the Son of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 5:8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

“Pain is inevitable; sorrow is optional” (Stanley). How we respond to physical and emotional pain is a choice for every child of the King. “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” (Viktor Frankl).

“Someone once said to a sufferer: ‘Suffering colors life, doesn’t it?’ The sufferer replied: ‘Yes, but I propose to choose the color.’ The Christian is the athlete of God whose spiritual muscles become stronger from the discipline of difficulties” (Barclay).

The canvas of our lives contains all of our life experiences. Our relationship with the Father, or lack thereof, affects the textures and colors that are added to it. It can be dull, drab, boring, or depressing. Or it can be bright, cheerful, upbeat, and filled with hope, that is, confident expectation.

“When trials hit, we can always be sure that God will come to our aid. Why? (1) It’s His nature – “He is ‘the Father of mercies’ and the ‘God of all comfort.’ (2) He’s training us to comfort others” (Stanley).

And so it was with Joseph!

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

This is the Father’s purpose for every child of the King. Our model is the Lord Jesus Christ. In the incarnation, He became the God-man. He was fully divine and also fully human. He was always without sin, as He learned obedience in real life. He was committed to submissive obedience and “increased in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:40, 52). Total submission was required to face and endure the events of Gethsemane and Golgotha. Through great suffering, the Lord Jesus Christ continued to obey. 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-26-2

© Dr. H 2024