Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 20 June 2021
How do you handle God's will?
Scripture References: Genesis 27:1-46, Matthew 26:36-46, Acts 4:23-31
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CloseWhat do you do with God’s will, his revealed will? This passage gives us a glimpse at the two most popular and prevalent answers. On the one hand, in Isaac, we have the ‘I know God’s will BUT…’ response – this is the response that acknowledges that God’s will has been made clear but we humans want to do something else. Put simply, this is the response of disobedience. On the other hand, in Rebekah, we have the ‘I know God’s will SO…’ response – this is the response that acknowledges God’s will has been made clear but that we don’t trust God to do as he says, so… . Put simply, this is the response of the ends justify the means, and God cannot be trusted. Both are wrong. Both lead to a mess and both are responses that Jesus avoids, thankfully. Just listen to his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane – ‘Father, take this cup from me, but not my will but yours be done’.
Scripture References: Genesis 27:1-46, Matthew 26:36-46, Acts 4:23-31
Related Topics: Faith, Genesis | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Christmas is coming! As December 25 looms large, it is also a moment to consider God’s pattern of preparation for this moment. And Matthew helps us do this. In four simple references to parts of the Old Testament, Matthew helps us understand that this moment is the culmination, the climax, of the pattern of God’s preparation for His promises to be fulfilled. This fulfilment is not that of the predictive nature, but of a pattern of actions – a pattern that is both similar to what happens at the birth of Jesus – but that birth is bigger and more amazing than anything else!
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is sent a dream from God. Basically, God saying “This is what the future holds, get ready!” How will Pharaoh respond? Will he listen and act? We see Joseph reach a semi-climax in his story. The young boy who has suffered for 13 years has now grown into a man who fully relies on God. He trusts in God’s greatness. He trusts in God’s word. He trusts that God is with him. How will that play out as he is brought in front of the most powerful man in all of Egypt? Will he succumb to the pressures around him, or stand firm in the power of the covenantal God? As we look at the story of Joseph we see a template for ourselves, a way that we can, and should, respond to God and His goodness. But there is more to Joseph. We also see the image of One who would bring salvation to all nations. One who would endure unjust suffering but then be raised to glory. We see Jesus!
In Genesis 40, the summary statement ‘after this’ (although this section really starts in Genesis 39:21), shows that the LORD’s presence remains. These are important to notice and remember because they raise our eyes from a basic morality tale to the plans and promises and commitment of the LORD to this broken world. In this instance, it is in verse 8: ‘Don’t interpretations belong to God?’ Joseph has come to realise that, as he navigates life (and he has now been enslaved for eleven years!), the only interpretation that works, that makes sense, is that of the LORD committed to him. Isn’t this the truth we are encouraged to return to time and time again – just read of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-42).
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