What Do We Know?
Our church has been studying the life of Joseph and in Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the life of John. Two key points have been processed by my brain.
#1 John the Baptist knew who he was not. In John 1:19-25...
He was quick to admit to the Sanhedrim, he was not the Messiah, not Elijah and not the Prophet.
BSF notes say, "John the Baptist's constant aim was to turn attention from himself to the good news of Messiah's coming." He said he was simply a voice..."I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'"
God calls us to be lots of different things in our lifetime. We don't have to know what God is up to, we know he is always up to good, so we just need to be obediently available to whatever work He is doing. It may simply be to offer a meal or open the door of our home, our office, our car. The call may be to pick up a pen and write a letter or type a text or email. Sometimes it's a bigger sacrifice and we have to venture further out of our comfort zone, but we can know He is the trustworthy One at work and he will direct our paths.
#2 Joseph knew who he was.
Our pastor taught us that yes, he knew he was a slave, but what kept him from succumbing to temptation was knowing he belonged to God. Having sex with Potiphar's (his boss') wife would be dishonoring the God who had redeemed and blessed him. The God who had saved him from the pit of death, his brothers had tossed him into.
"After a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, 'Lie with me.' But he refused."
Genesis 39:7-8
How about us?
While we know we are not gods (and thank God for that), we do know we are the children of the King of all Glory and with that comes eternal blessings and a call to be obedient children while we are on this earth. He deserves glory and honor and praise.
"And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.' And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on throne, to Him who lives forever and ever..." Revelation 4:8-10
