ODB: patience in prison
September 2, 2009
READ: Genesis 40:1-14,23
[God] Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5
Have you ever noticed that other people’s forgetfulness can try your patience? As a college professor, I find my patience stretched when a student forgets to do an assignment that’s clearly spelled out in the syllabus.
In the Old Testament story of Joseph, we see a far worse example of forgetfulness—and we can only imagine how he struggled to be patient as a result.
While in prison, Joseph interpreted a dream of the king’s butler, which led to the man’s release. Joseph told him, “Remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house” (Gen. 40:14). It would seem that after Joseph had helped the butler gain freedom, remembering him would have been high on his “to do” list. But it was 2 years before the butler spoke to Pharaoh about Joseph (41:9). Finally, Joseph was freed.
Imagine the impatience Joseph felt as he waited each day in that dungeon (40:15)—perhaps thinking his only chance at freedom had passed. Yet Joseph had a resource: He had God’s presence (39:21), as do we (Heb. 13:5). When you’re feeling impatient, lean on the God who is always with you. He’ll turn your impatience into patient trust. — Dave Branon
Patience means awaiting God’s time without doubting God’s love.
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Loading ...A World In Need
By Eugene Seah, Singapore
Much has happened and is happening around the world. Beyond the boundaries we live in, millions have weathered large-scale rampant killings, torture and destitution. Some of them made it alive; others succumbed to the grave. And for those who survived, they are permanently scarred—emotionally and physically.
In the book Not On Our Watch by Don Cheadle and John Prendergas, it highlights the brutality of civil war in places like Sudan and Northern Uganda. They state that the 4 factors enabling mass atrocities are ignorance, indifference, policy inertia and apathy.
In the light of this knowledge, will we move out of our comfort zones, our protected worlds, and our self-centeredness to render a helping hand to people in desperate need—locally or beyond?
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ ” (Matthew 25:40).
May we turn to Him and seek to let Him use our lives to help those in need, that they may come to know and receive the ultimate alleviation—the Prize of all prizes.
This song Treasure of Jesus by Steven Curtis Chapman says it well.
What can I do
How can I live
To show my world
The treasure of Jesus
What will it take
What could I give
So they can know
the treasure He is
And if I can sing, let my songs be full of His glory
If I can speak, let my words be full of His grace
And if I should live or die
Let me be found pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The treasure of Jesus
For Jesus Christ lives in us, so that we can play a part in bringing the comforts we receive from God to others. Let’s direct people to Him who will “wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4).
May we respond.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: carpe diem
Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12).
READ: Ecclesiastes 12:1-5
Carpe diem! Seize the day, boys! Make your lives extraordinary!” urged English teacher John Keating in the movie Dead Poets Society.
I like that motto: Carpe diem (a Latin phrase for “seize the day”). It impels me to live each day meaningfully and not waste a single moment. After watching a Hong Kong TV drama recently, I gained an expanded understanding of this phrase. The show portrayed the relationship between two sons in their late thirties and their father. Both young men were “seizing the day” in their careers and relationships. The father was always there for them, either by providing a good meal or by bringing his grandchildren to school. One day he suffered a stroke. To his sons, it seemed so sudden. There had been no prior symptoms—no changes that the sons had noticed. As their father lay in a coma, however, they realized that they had taken their dad for granted. They hadn’t been “seizing the day” in their relationship with him.
When we read Ecclesiastes 12:1-5, we’re inclined to focus on the reasons to remember our Creator while we’re young. We might miss that it describes the deterioration that comes with aging—for our parents (and for us). One day, their legs will start to tremble, their shoulders will stoop, their teeth will stop grinding and their eyes will see dimly (v.3). One day, their energy level will wane. We will no longer see the familiar bounce in their steps or the gusto with which they undertook a task (vv.4-5).
Opportunities to honor our parents are for a limited time only. One day, as the wise King Solomon observed in Ecclesiastes 12:5, they will be “near the grave, [their] everlasting home.” If your parents are still living, honor them today. Carpe diem. —Poh Fang Chia
How can you “seize the day” with your parents and grandparents? How will you treat them differently today?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
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