Unpleasant Circumstances
by Bro. Duane Marshall
09/30/2023
Genesis 40:14-15 - “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”
Joseph is in prison through no fault of his own. He has just interpreted a dream for the butler who is also in prison. The butler will be restored to his position serving the Pharoah and Joseph is asking the butler to help him get out of these unpleasant circumstances. Verse 14 says, “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:”
Have you ever been caught off guard and stuck in a calamity through no fault of your own with no way out? It’s a difficult spot to be in and there are no easy solutions. Since God is sovereign, which means He has perfect control over the universe, He is continually involved with us. He directs us in a way that fulfills His divine purpose.
Humanly speaking, we forget He is in control. We think we are the ones pulling the strings, managing life by steering the boat through turbulent seas. But if we sense we are the victims of unseen turbulence, this seems to trouble us.
I’m reminded of Peter when he began to walk on the water in Matthew 14:25-30. It was between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. when Jesus came walking on the water to their ship. The disciples were afraid, but Peter said if it’s you Lord bid me to come to you. So, the Lord did, and Peter got out of the boat walking just fine on the water until he looked at the circumstances, and then he began to sink.
Psychologists studied the impact of combat on soldiers in WWII. They determined that after 60 days of continuous combat, the ground troops became emotionally dead. The soldiers endured a constant threat of bomb blitzes, machine guns, and enemy snipers.
The anxiety of ground troops was no surprise, but compared to fighter pilots, it revealed something different. The fighter pilot's mortality rate was among the highest in combat. Fifty percent were killed in action, yet dogfighters loved their work. An astounding 93% claimed to be happy with their assignments.
What made the difference? Those pilots had their hands on the throttle. They felt that their fate was theirs to determine. Infantrymen by contrast could just as easily be killed by standing still or running away. They felt helpless.
The lesson…perceived control creates calm, and lack of control gives birth to fear. The Bible has a better idea. Rather than seeking total control, relinquish it. Paul writing from prison said, “Rejoice in the Lord.”
Peace is within reach, not because of a lack of problems, but because of the presence of a sovereign Lord. Dr. Barber said, “When you can’t track Him, trust Him.”
09/30/2023
Genesis 40:14-15 - “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”
Joseph is in prison through no fault of his own. He has just interpreted a dream for the butler who is also in prison. The butler will be restored to his position serving the Pharoah and Joseph is asking the butler to help him get out of these unpleasant circumstances. Verse 14 says, “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:”
Have you ever been caught off guard and stuck in a calamity through no fault of your own with no way out? It’s a difficult spot to be in and there are no easy solutions. Since God is sovereign, which means He has perfect control over the universe, He is continually involved with us. He directs us in a way that fulfills His divine purpose.
Humanly speaking, we forget He is in control. We think we are the ones pulling the strings, managing life by steering the boat through turbulent seas. But if we sense we are the victims of unseen turbulence, this seems to trouble us.
I’m reminded of Peter when he began to walk on the water in Matthew 14:25-30. It was between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. when Jesus came walking on the water to their ship. The disciples were afraid, but Peter said if it’s you Lord bid me to come to you. So, the Lord did, and Peter got out of the boat walking just fine on the water until he looked at the circumstances, and then he began to sink.
Psychologists studied the impact of combat on soldiers in WWII. They determined that after 60 days of continuous combat, the ground troops became emotionally dead. The soldiers endured a constant threat of bomb blitzes, machine guns, and enemy snipers.
The anxiety of ground troops was no surprise, but compared to fighter pilots, it revealed something different. The fighter pilot's mortality rate was among the highest in combat. Fifty percent were killed in action, yet dogfighters loved their work. An astounding 93% claimed to be happy with their assignments.
What made the difference? Those pilots had their hands on the throttle. They felt that their fate was theirs to determine. Infantrymen by contrast could just as easily be killed by standing still or running away. They felt helpless.
The lesson…perceived control creates calm, and lack of control gives birth to fear. The Bible has a better idea. Rather than seeking total control, relinquish it. Paul writing from prison said, “Rejoice in the Lord.”
Peace is within reach, not because of a lack of problems, but because of the presence of a sovereign Lord. Dr. Barber said, “When you can’t track Him, trust Him.”
Posted in Living for God, The Mighty God
Posted in Genesis 40, Joseph, circumstances, control, Peter, anxiety, peace, presence
Posted in Genesis 40, Joseph, circumstances, control, Peter, anxiety, peace, presence
Recent
Archive
2023
January
May
In A MomentFree For Who? Free For You!Purity In PrivateMake Me A BlessingThe Hard Times Of LifeThe Burdens Of LifeHide and SeekThe Conflict Around UsHow To React To DifficultiesGod's GuidanceWhen It Seems Like There Is Nothing LeftA Drink For Your Thirsty SoulThe RaptureTomorrow's Secrets and CertaintiesSuffering For the Sake of OthersWhat Jesus PrioritizedHe Giveth More GraceI Never Knew I Could Do ThatHind Every MountainHeaven's HeadlineGod's Purpose For Your LifeFaith That Leads To ObedienceHaving A Biblical PerspectiveA Good ExampleGod Can See In The DarkGreat Is Our GodFollowing JesusJesus, My RosebudThe Shield Of FaithGod Laughs At Our WisdomThe Almighty God
June
Burned OutWhere Did All These Packages Come From?This GodEvery Decision Has A ConsequenceA Resume That's EternalWhat Will We See In Heaven?Watch Your MouthPut Down The Baby Bottle & Fire Up The GrillWhy Do Good Things Happen To Good People?The Undetected War WithinThe Battle Is Not Yours, But God'sEncouragementThe Value Of A Godly FriendWhat If God Said "Yes" To Everything?NotJust Mind Your BusinessA Day In The LifeThe God-Given Task To FathersThe Kind Of Christian I Would Like To BeStrength And CourageStill No Room For The SaviourHangry And A Bit Dramatic or Void Of Spirituality?We Will Understand It Better By And ByPreach The WordWhat My God Saith, That Will I SpeakDo You Read The Owner's Manual?Can I Know The Will Of God?
July
August
The Thing Which I Greatly FearedThe Best Way To Travel Life's PathwayA Distinct DifferenceSincerity On SundayJoy For Life's JourneyWhat Manner Of LoveMaking A DifferenceOnly Sometimes Usually Leads To NeverThe Order Of LifeOpinionatedGod Knows How It EndsWhat To Do When Troubles ComeHow Do You React To Difficulties?The World's Oldest ProblemWhat Are Your Intentions?The Impact Of A Single SoulWhat's Your Quest?Submitting To The LordA Gift Worth OfferingWhat Do I Have?Why I Love The BibleNot My PresidentThe Blessings Of ObedienceWhat Do You Need For Courage?