COV LIFE BLOG

Genesis 39 – Obedience Doesn’t Mean Trial-Free Living

When you find yourself in trouble, do you sometimes think, ‘I must have done something wrong? Perhaps I’ve missed God’s will and He’s punishing me’? No. Trouble is multi-sourced, and frequently unrelated to our wrongdoing or God’s punishment. The disciples weren’t in the storm by disobeying, but by obeying Jesus; not by rejecting God’s will, but by embracing it. The Bible says, ‘Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go,’ and they obeyed. At times you’ll find yourself in troubled waters because you did what was right rather than what was popular, easy or selfish. When that happens, here are some helpful lessons from the disciples’ experience:

Obedience doesn’t guarantee there will be no storms. The disciples had just seen Jesus feed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, and end up with more food than He started with. Shouldn’t their faith have been strengthened? Yet they forgot it completely, when fear came knocking. Jesus had told them that He would meet them on the other shore, yet they forgot His miracle-working power and His promise and gave in to anxiety. Fear is a reminder that like the disciples, you’ve forgotten Who has the power and Who’s in charge. Understand this: When God doesn’t solve your problem, He will show up in the middle of it and cause you to come out with your faith fortified. These are lessons that transform your trial into triumph.

David Maasbach

SCRIPTURE FOR MEDITATION
Isaiah 43:1-2
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.

John 11:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

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MEDITATION ON THIS WEEK’S SERMON PASSAGE
Read Genesis 39.

Even though Joseph was faithful, God still allowed him to go through trials. How can a Christ-centered perspective remind yourself to persevere in righteousness even when it doesn’t seem to be rewarded in this life?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
I Asked The Lord by John Newton