Readings for today: Genesis 44-45, Matthew 14:13-36, Psalms 18:37-50, Proverbs 4:11-13
Perspective: Joseph looking back over the course of his life. All he’s endured. The trials and tribulations. Betrayed by his brothers. Sold into slavery. Falsely accused and imprisoned. Given position and power in a great empire. All of it by God’s hand. All of it to fulfill God’s plan. What was intended for evil, God intended for good and many were saved.
Perspective: Jesus looks out on a crowd. They are hungry. They are thirsty. They were sick. He had compassion. He saw them through His Father’s eyes. He miraculously fed them from five loaves and two fishes. He brought healing and wholeness. He showed them the Kingdom. They were more than satisfied.
Perspective: Jesus is walking across the water to a boat in the middle of a fierce storm. The wind and the waves are tossing the little craft back and forth. The men on board are afraid for their lives. Jesus tells them not to be calm. To keep their eyes on him. One of them, Peter, asks to go to Jesus. Jesus invites him out onto the water. He finds himself walking but soon the fear sets in. The waves are too much. The wind too strong. His faith fails and he begins to sink. Jesus reaches down and rescues him and then settles the storm with a word as he gets into the boat.
Perspective: David composing a Psalm of praise for his salvation from King Saul. He’s been on the run for a very long time. He’s barely escaped death more than once. Through no fault of his own, he’s become the king’s enemy. But God is with him. God has granted him the victory.
Joseph. David. Peter. The crowds following Jesus. They are all very much alike. They come to God with their needs. Their wants. Their desires. Their hopes. Their dreams. But their horizons are too small. As is often the case, they look at things from a worldly perspective. Their faith fails. What they need is God’s perspective. They need to take a step back and see things through God’s eyes. Understand God is at work even in the darkest and hardest of times. Trust His faithfulness. Trust His love. Trust His grace.
Where do you need God’s perspective today? Are you overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Anxious and afraid of what tomorrow may bring? Are you bound by your past? The abuse you suffered? The pain you endured? Have you been falsely accused? Falsely imprisoned? Falsely cut out of the life of someone you love? Is the house of cards you’ve built starting to come down around you? Look to Christ! Lift your eyes above the hills! Above the wind and the waves! Above the storm that rages all around you! Place your hope and trust in God and He will see you through!
Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 46-47, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalms 19, Proverbs 4:14-19