Entering God's School Of Life

 

Entering God's School Of Life

THU Evening Prayer Reflection 052021 (Ez. 18:1-32; Ps 105; Luke 10: 25-37)

Today’s Psalm 105 brings out the interesting story of Joseph in the Old Testament. The Church Fathers were not interested in embellishing stories like Hollywood does. They taught us to look way deeper into these stories and discover a wealth of insights. The Psalmist wrote: “He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet in fetters; his neck they put in an iron collar. Until his prediction came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.” I have always had sympathy for Joseph because of his sufferings. I felt he didn’t deserve it, and it lasted so long…You could say that the jealousy of his brothers brought about his misfortune: He was sold into slavery. At the time, it was a compromise so that Joseph wouldn’t be killed. God can use anyone to bring about your safety, even those attempting murder. Here we are dealing with the real consequences of our human fallenness and at the same time, God is dealing with our individual hearts. None could see what was in Joseph’s heart, but the Lord worked on him for years. Often, we wonder about God’s role in our lives, especially when we are experiencing hard times. We ask: God, aren’t you supposed to be watching over us? How come we are experiencing these misfortunes? What did we do to deserve this? I can imagine such thinking in Joseph’s mind…

This same thinking was captured by the prophet Ezekiel as he addressed Israelites’ complaints over suffering. They thought they didn’t deserve it. In one instance, Israelites insisted that Jerusalem fell because of the sins of Manasseh (2 King 24: 3-4), they thought it was unfair to suffer for the sins of their ancestors. Also, they were being cheeky in their attitudes saying: why bother doing good? What’s the point, if we are going to be punished for the sins of our ancestors? My question is: “Does it really help to blame God or anyone?” If it did help, we would do away with current economic crisis, the rise of gas prices, and the wars, because it would be the total responsibility of previous generations rather than younger ones! God set the story straight.

Think about it: Did Joseph deserve the sufferings he got? Almost everyone thinks the same about this one. None thinks he or she deserves to suffer! Sometimes in life, bad things will happen to innocent people. What is comforting to us, is that God never leaves us nor forsake us. I am convinced that Joseph had entered the school of God… to learn patience, to learn of God’s mighty power to deliver his own in his own timing. His sufferings taught him a great deal. He became faithful within his sufferings...The Psalmist looked much deeper in the story and concluded that God sent Joseph ahead of his family to save it… Look at the bigger picture! Okay, he endured a lot of suffering until his predictions became true. 

If you ask me what is common in these two stories, is that we are all afraid of suffering. We think we can talk our way out of suffering. Joseph did not understand the very reason he was in prison in Egypt until when he had an opportunity to leave. He once tried to bargain his way out of prison, thinking the Pharaoh’s servant would surely remember him. Nope, he didn’t remember him for so many years. Finally, when it was time to leave prison, he had matured… He had learnt a lot about patience and humility and the absolute power of God to save.

Key learning here is that, unfortunately we do and will suffer the sins of previous generations, because we can’t detach ourselves from our past. God’s response was swift: Make no mistake, it’s about the trajectory of our souls: the wicked who do not repent will die, the righteous who turn wicked will die, those who repent will live. Pretty self-explanatory! God wasn’t pleased with Israel’s complaints: [You think I am unfair? You are the ones that are unfair!] Emphasis mine. Isn’t it typical of us to complain about our suffering? Yet Jesus is portrayed in Is 53: 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter… 

As long as we are this side of heaven there will be sufferings and trials. Pray for sufferers, support them. They are your neighbors. Today I read a new interpretation of the Good Samaritan story. When Jesus answered a parable to the question: “How do I get eternal life?” What he meant was: “How do I live a life without disappointments, perceived undeserved sufferings?” Love God with all heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself which, as my friend Jason Gaboury wrote, applies to costly acts of mercy to the vulnerable.

God bless you! May God guide you and protect you in your journey through God's school of life!