Genesis 49, Mark 12

Friday, February 1, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 49, Mark 12)

"Find Blessing, Find Joy."

(Genesis 49)

As Jacob gave his final blessings and words to his sons, I found myself thinking how direct he was in expressing how some were most certainly more blessed than others. This is nothing new and seems to fall in line with the initial vision and foresight of Joseph’s brothers “bowing” before him. The pattern would continue. One might say that the other brothers were destined for a life of disappointment and strife. While there are certainly instances in scripture in which this does happen, in this story, nothing is shown that “bad luck” or devastation came their way resulting in their downturn. They were not negatively impacted as a result of Joseph’s favor, but instead, their demise came from their selfishness and self-preservation. Certainly God had ordained that Joseph would have such a bright future and he was called for such a task, but could it have happened without the depths to which his brothers fell? I would imagine God could have pulled that off if he wanted. But this was the path the story of Joseph took, and we are reminded how easily we fall to selfishness. In the end, we see a story of grace, of redemption, and of forgiveness. And we should be reminded to celebrate with the success of others.

God, we can control our actions and reactions. Our paths are impacted greatly by our decisions. Give us wisdom to choose your ways. When we get off course, Lord, gently instruct us back to you.

(Mark 12)

Vs 42-44 “But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

The other day I was working on replacing some trim on the back of my house. While I was hammering in some nails, my five year old asked if I would save a specific nail he pointed out for him to nail it in. So I let him at it. Ten minutes later he was still just tapping that same nail. It hadn’t gone in an inch. But I loved his zeal. Eventually I grabbed the hammer, and with his hands inside mine, together we drove the nail into the wood.

It’s so easy to feel as if we have so little to give in service to Christ. At times we can feel so incapable. There are moments we are tempted to give nothing of ourselves because it may seem so insignificant. Maybe we aren’t the wisest of believers or the most encouraging, maybe we don’t have the greatest perspective or leadership ability, maybe we don’t ooze words of wisdom. But I pray that when we find ourselves short on abilities, that we find great joy in giving all that we have and are found faithful to doing what we know to do.