At The Movies | Tuesday
Tuesday | July 21
This Week's Focus:
As Christians, our lives look different because our hope is set on a different source: Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.
As Christians, our lives look different because our hope is set on a different source: Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death.
Scripture
Scripture Helps Us Hear God And Live His Truth.
"But Joseph replied, 'Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Genesis 50:19-20 NLT
Genesis 50:19-20 NLT
God's Always Working
As we set out this week, we begin with the truth that our hope as Christians is not the same as that of those who don't know Jesus. Here's a truly profound facet of our hope: the redemptive work of God transforms the way we walk through times of trial and challenge. We don't experience struggles the way the rest of the world does because we trust that God isn't passive. He's always working.
Think about the story from today's passage. We find Joseph, beaten, sold into slavery, thrown into prison, and ultimately forgotten. Yet his hope in God remains despite the circumstances. And when he faces his own brothers, the perpetrators of his suffering, he responds with a radical perspective: "You intended me harm, but God intended it all for good."
What could possibly have led him to have this kind of outlook? By the world's standard, he could have easily "abandoned ship" and given up all hope. Joseph chose to put his trust in the goodness of God, assured that His hand was at work even when he couldn't always see the evidence. He accepted the hope of a bigger plan (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11) that would reposition him from a prison cell to second-in-command over all of Egypt.
The same is true for us. God is always working, even when we feel like the circumstances don't reflect that reality. That hope isn't just wishful thinking; it's embracing the plan of a good and faithful God that is bigger than we could possibly imagine.
Think about the story from today's passage. We find Joseph, beaten, sold into slavery, thrown into prison, and ultimately forgotten. Yet his hope in God remains despite the circumstances. And when he faces his own brothers, the perpetrators of his suffering, he responds with a radical perspective: "You intended me harm, but God intended it all for good."
What could possibly have led him to have this kind of outlook? By the world's standard, he could have easily "abandoned ship" and given up all hope. Joseph chose to put his trust in the goodness of God, assured that His hand was at work even when he couldn't always see the evidence. He accepted the hope of a bigger plan (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11) that would reposition him from a prison cell to second-in-command over all of Egypt.
The same is true for us. God is always working, even when we feel like the circumstances don't reflect that reality. That hope isn't just wishful thinking; it's embracing the plan of a good and faithful God that is bigger than we could possibly imagine.
Reflection
Reflection Helps Us Pause, Listen, And Let God Speak To Our Hearts.
- Have I "abandoned ship," thinking God isn't at work because I can't see it?
- Is there someone I can share my hope in Christ with?
Weekly Memory Verse
Read It Once A Day. Let It Shape How You Think And Pray This Week.
"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Prayer
Through Prayer, We Talk To God And Listen For His Guidance.
Lord, remind me of your steadfastness. Help me to continue to hope in you even when I cannot see that you are working. Thank you for all you have done in my life! Amen.
Come Back Tomorrow
Join us tomorrow as we see what it means to have a living hope.