Week 7, Day 5
Freedom from the Lies
Read Psalm 105:1-22.
God gave Joseph an incredible dream of ruling over those around him, yet his life appeared far from it. As the favored son sat in a stinky prison cell, feet shackled in iron, his vision seemed to be lost, God’s plan doomed. Sound familiar? Joseph’s circumstances thundered DEFEATED and ABANDONED, yet the Lord God was working out His plan, remaining faithful to His covenant promises. How easy to allow circumstances to define God and determine our identity rather than to trust His Word, to seek His face continually and give thanks as this Psalm instructs.
Not DEFEATED, Joseph was DESTINED to rule and sent into Egypt, landing in that dungeon by his sovereign Lord. A prisoner, yet living out the words Paul affirms in Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Though Joseph couldn’t see at the moment, he later declared that God sent him to participate in His purposes of Israel’s deliverance (see Genesis 45:7). Far from ABANDONED, the Lord was personally AT WORK in and through Joseph’s life, preparing the future ruler and making a nation’s freedom available while fulfilling every word He had spoken.
Psalm 105:19 reminds us that the word of the Lord tested or refined Joseph, purging away things that didn’t belong. Never fun. The refining process feels painful in those prison moments yet proves critical for our freedom. What’s purged? First to go should be the actions or thought processes that don’t align with God’s truth. Yet more subtle are the lies about God that tough circumstances introduce, causing us to doubt His goodness and His character. Often we find ourselves agreeing with the deception of Satan, whom Jesus called the father of lies, rather than trusting God and His word. Any chance you have fallen for one of those lies in your pain and disappointment? Repent and cast off lies along with any offensive ways you have walked, then declare your trust in God’s word anew. The sovereign One holds your destiny and is at work even when you can’t see!
God gave Joseph an incredible dream of ruling over those around him, yet his life appeared far from it. As the favored son sat in a stinky prison cell, feet shackled in iron, his vision seemed to be lost, God’s plan doomed. Sound familiar? Joseph’s circumstances thundered DEFEATED and ABANDONED, yet the Lord God was working out His plan, remaining faithful to His covenant promises. How easy to allow circumstances to define God and determine our identity rather than to trust His Word, to seek His face continually and give thanks as this Psalm instructs.
Not DEFEATED, Joseph was DESTINED to rule and sent into Egypt, landing in that dungeon by his sovereign Lord. A prisoner, yet living out the words Paul affirms in Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Though Joseph couldn’t see at the moment, he later declared that God sent him to participate in His purposes of Israel’s deliverance (see Genesis 45:7). Far from ABANDONED, the Lord was personally AT WORK in and through Joseph’s life, preparing the future ruler and making a nation’s freedom available while fulfilling every word He had spoken.
Psalm 105:19 reminds us that the word of the Lord tested or refined Joseph, purging away things that didn’t belong. Never fun. The refining process feels painful in those prison moments yet proves critical for our freedom. What’s purged? First to go should be the actions or thought processes that don’t align with God’s truth. Yet more subtle are the lies about God that tough circumstances introduce, causing us to doubt His goodness and His character. Often we find ourselves agreeing with the deception of Satan, whom Jesus called the father of lies, rather than trusting God and His word. Any chance you have fallen for one of those lies in your pain and disappointment? Repent and cast off lies along with any offensive ways you have walked, then declare your trust in God’s word anew. The sovereign One holds your destiny and is at work even when you can’t see!
Reflection Questions
• Consider a time when your circumstances looked nothing like you thought or dreamed or possibly believed God intended. How did you respond?
• Romans 8:28 doesn’t say that all things are good, but that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Can you describe a situation when you realized God was at work even though you didn’t see it in the moment?
• Discuss some lies you might possibly believe from the times and situations presented in the last two questions. Help one another to determine the truth. Take time to pray through these lies, repenting of any unbelief and declaring the truth of God’s word.
• Romans 8:28 doesn’t say that all things are good, but that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Can you describe a situation when you realized God was at work even though you didn’t see it in the moment?
• Discuss some lies you might possibly believe from the times and situations presented in the last two questions. Help one another to determine the truth. Take time to pray through these lies, repenting of any unbelief and declaring the truth of God’s word.
Because of her passion for God’s word and a desire to see people walk in truth and freedom, Cheryle regularly teaches Bible studies and mentors or disciples individuals. She and her husband, Roy, are among the founding families of Heritage.
Recent
Archive
2023
August
September
Week 2, Day 2Week Two Small Group DiscussionWeek 2, Day 5Week 2, Day 3Week 2, Day 1Week 2, Day 4Week 3, Day 2Week Three Small Group DiscussionWeek 3, Day 5Week 3, Day 3Week 3, Day 1Week 3, Day 4Week 4, Day 2Week Four Small Group DiscussionWeek 4, Day 5Week 4, Day 3Week 4, Day 1Week 4, Day 4Week 5, Day 2Week Five Small Group DiscussionWeek 5, Day 5Week 5, Day 3Week 5, Day 1Week 5, Day 4
October
Week Six Small Group DiscussionWeek 6, Day 5Week 6, Day 2Week 6, Day 3Week 6, Day 4Week 6, Day 1Week 7, Day 2Week 7, Day 3Week 7, Day 4Week 7, Day 5Week Seven Small Group DiscussionWeek 7, Day 1Week 8, Day 4Week 8, Day 5Week Eight Small Group DiscussionWeek 8, Day 1Week 8, Day 2Week 8, Day 3Week 9, Day 1Week 9, Day 2Week 9, Day 3Week 9, Day 4Week 9, Day 5Week Nine Small Group Discussion
Categories
no categories
No Comments