Feb. 24, 2009 - Different Avenues
"Satan, when he found he could not overcome Joseph with the troubles and the frowns of the world, for in them he still held fast his principle, assaulted him with pleasures, which have ruined more than the former." -Matthew Henry's Commentary on Gen. 39 This quote really caught my eye, as the LORD has been trying to deal with me on a particularly tough lesson for me to learn - to rest. To rest, to me, is to be lazy. I'm not referring to sleeping in, but to sit down during the day and do nothing or to play a game with the kids. I continually have before me my ever-growing to-do list; how can I take the time to do "nothing"? So what does that have to do with the above quote? satan does not have to try very hard to get me off the path. I'm sucked in by the troubles and frowns of this world in a heartbeat. I can't even tell I am at times. And HE keeps trying over and over. And I keep fighting it. It's not in my nature to be still unless I'm reading. I also noticed GOD didn't remove Joseph from his undesirable circumstances. GOD allowed his brothers to put him in a dry cistern. HE allowed them to sell him to Midianites. HE could have kept him out of prison. HE could have had the two dudes remember him much before the one did. But HE didn't. GOD uses different avenues than we do, and I need to keep remembering that. HE chooses the narrow way - the path less traveled - the path with branches in the way, with thorns, with no well-marked way to go - the one without road signs or well-lit streetlights. GOD doesn't want to remove me from my frustrating circumstances. HE wants me to learn to rest amidst them. HE wants me to stop striving and rest even though I feel "imprisoned" by my circumstances. I don't want to, LORD, but help me to stop striving and rest.
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Feb. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by causeme2hear.blogspot.com
Great post! I definitely know what you mean about the ever growing list!!!
Feb. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by rockyridge
Very well said. I needed to read this today. Thank you.
Jenn