Scripture of the Day
Genesis 44:32-34 (NIV)
“In Place”
Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father.”
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Judah had guaranteed his father that he would bring back the youngest son of Israel, and if he didn’t stay true to his word, he would carry the blame for the rest of his life (see Genesis 43:9). When the time came to keep his word, Judah was ready to take the position of slave In Place of his youngest brother. He could not face his father if it came down to loosing the young brother!
That is a powerful testimony of Judah! He was willing to take the place of suffering on behalf of his brother. It didn’t matter if his youngest brother was accurately accused or not! Judah gave his word and he was going to keep it! Who are you willing to suffer In Place of? Will you suffer In Place of your spouse? Will you suffer In Place of your children? Will you suffer In Place of your church? Will you suffer In Place of your community?
We find it hard enough to suffer In Place of ourselves, but let me share with you how JESUS suffered In Place of us! HE guaranteed HIS FATHER that HE would not just die for the older saints, but for the youngest ones too! When sin and death was asking for us, JESUS claimed us as HIS own and HE guaranteed HIS FATHER that none would have to perish! It didn’t matter to JESUS is we were accurately accused of sin (which we are!). Hallelujah! JESUS was able to return to the FATHER with joy, for HE died In Place of all, so that we could return to the FATHER!
I Love JESUS!
1 comment:
Great SOD!
I have to ask myself, am I truly willing to suffer in Christ today?
1 Peter 4:12-13 - "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."
Job 1:21 - "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job 13:15 (NKJV) Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Job gave us a powerful testimony regarding our suffering--even though God may slay him, Job's trust would not allow him to waver in his faith!!!
We can't understand our suffering unless we "Trust" in the Lord-- Peter tells us to count it even as "all joy"...and not to think it strange...when we suffer in the Lord...as Christ has suffered for us!!!
Did not the Apostles suffer in Christ?
Andrew: Martyrdom by crucifixion (bound, not nailed, to a cross).1
Bartholomew (Often identified with Nathaniel in the New Testament): Martyrdom by being either 1. Beheaded, or 2. Flayed alive and crucified, head downward.1
James the Greater: Martyrdom by being beheaded1 or stabbed2 with a sword.
James the Lesser: Martyrdom by being thrown from a pinnacle of the Temple at Jerusalem , then stoned and beaten with clubs.2
John: Died of old age.1
Jude (Often identified with Thaddeus in the New Testament): Martyrdom by being beaten to death with a club.2
Judas: Suicide.1
Matthew: Martyrdom by being burned, stoned, or beheaded.1
Peter: Martyrdom by crucifixion at Rome with his head downwards.1
Philip: Martyrdom.2
Simon: Martyrdom by crucifixion.1 or being sawn in half.2
Thomas: Martyrdom by being stabbed with a spear.2
When I look into the mirror and when I look other Christians, again I must ask the question--How many of us are truly willing to suffer in Christ today? Too many of us are seeking after the "Prosperity" teachings from our "supper-star" TV preachers today...too many Christians (including myself at times) have adopted the values of our greedy, and selfish society...simply wanting more and more...becoming slaves to debt!!!
Thank you for this SOD!!!
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked. ... Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
The issue is in all suffering, when we trust him and keep trusting him, we will find some evidences of his sovereign mercy toward me. And the source of it is a very minor part when it comes to the real battle down here of "Will I trust him? Will I hold on to him or not?"
How else can we have HOPE???
ONLY IN CHRIST!!!!
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