Genesis 41, Mark 4

Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 41, Mark 4)

(Genesis 41)

Two years after he was forgotten, Joseph was remembered. And he was called upon for service to the Pharaoh. He wasn’t forgotten and allowed to live a normal life that most of us have a luxury of living, he remained in prison. But he remained faithful. And when he was called, he was ready and willing to put his gifting to work. Although he could have allowed his bitterness swell, he saw the opportunity before him as a gift, and he gave glory to God. In verse 16, it shows his continued commitment to giving credit to God, when Pharaoh asked him if he could interpret his dreams, "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

After years of neglect and seemingly absence of the favor of God upon Joseph, God used his special gifting to not only draw him out of the darkest of places, but raise him up to a position of honor and favor before God and man.

It’s so easy to drill into a dark time in our lives and allow ourselves to slip into dark spiritual places as well. It’s so easy to wonder where God has gone. But we must remain faithful in knowing that He is there, knowing that He is good, and trusting that He has a plan to restore. Our task is to remain ready, in and out of season, to give Glory to God and be faithful when our time comes.

Father, continue to teach us to trust. Keep us faithful to using our gifting for your Glory. Keep us faithful to using our resources and blessing to serve others. Help us to keep our spirits up in moments of trail.

(Mark 4)

The parable of the sower in Mark 4 sheds light on so many questions. First, the question of the seed is raised. Jesus explains that the seed is the word. God allows his seed to be scattered so many ways through our living example, sharing the good news, and living the good news (to name a few). I can’t help but ask, what kind of seed am I sowing, and how pure is it’s message? I was amazed when searching for grass seed this past year the various types, blends, and quality that is available for purchase. There are mixed seeds for grass grown in the shade and special seed for direct sunlight. Each requires a different amount of water. But there was an even greater discrepancy in the price of the seed. The less pure was cheap. The purest of the high quality grasses could get pretty expensive. But you ultimately get what you pay for. The message of the cross is the purest of all messages. Its quality is the highest of high. It came at the greatest cost. Paul warns us to not lesson it of its power. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” The more of “us” we put into the seed, the more we are in danger of sowing an inadequate vision of what it really means. We have to be careful we are not replacing Christ with religion. We have to be careful we are not replacing Christ with more of us.

Then there are more questions: What type of soil are we? How have we received the word? Who has God placed in our lives that are literally dying for that word? How have they received the word? How are they growing? How are we growing? Are we among the thorns? Have we found ourselves with shallow roots? Is our faith in danger of burning up the moment drought comes? Have we hardened ourselves so that the seed does not penetrate our hard exterior? Will the water just wash it away or birds devour it?

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.“ Ultimately it’s God’s creation. It’s God’s mystery. He causes the seed to germinate and sprout. He waters or gives drought. But we must remain faithful in doing what we are called to do. May we not be found guilty of apathy, neglect, or abuse of His Word.

Father, it is a seed that is pure. Your word is living. Your word is live changing and life giving. Help us to see how we are sowing, how we are receiving, and how we are growing. Makes us sensitive to others around us that we may intercede through prayer, that we may live an encouraging life, and that we would remain faithful to your word.