Bible Study Notes 10/6/20

Word Alive! © 2020 Summer Series

We Can Get Through This!

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tuesday, 6, Oct., 2020

Max Lucado, “You’ll Get Through This,” Lesson 15, (Chapter 14)

Devotional Time: “You’ll Get Through This,” (pp. 141-151)

Enduring: Remaining Calm In the Crisis – During the time of a crisis, one of the greatest inner resources and disciplines God’s people could have is endurance. In many places of the New Testament the word “endurance” is derived from some form of the Greek word, meno. Usually hupomeno is used. This word means, “to abide under [pressure or conflict]; or, “to bear up courageously.” Our ability to endure will instill in us a sense of calm. We also will develop a mature expectation that all that we’re experiencing will be resolved. Jesus, in speaking of difficult times to come, assured His followers that their ability to “endure” would save them from destruction (cf. Matthew 24:12-13, NLT). When Timothy was faced with the greatest challenge in his ministry, his mentor the Apostle Paul admonished the younger colleague to “endure” as a good soldier. He encouraged Timothy to listen carefully to the mentoring he was receiving. for God would help him “understand” his situation (cf. 2 Timothy 2:3;5;7, NLT). Paul also told Timothy to remain calm (“keep a clear mind,” NLT), despite all he was going through (cf. 1 Timothy 4:5, NLT). James, the brother of our Lord, praised Christians a generation before Timothy for their “endurance,” despite suffering (cf. James 5:11, NLT). The psalmist reflected on how God brought Israel through Egypt and exile. When they called out to Him for help, God “calmed” the storm around them (cf. Psalm 107:28-29, NLT). In the devotional book, You’ll Get Through This, author Max Lucado said: “We can’t always see what God is doing, but can’t we assume he is up to something good? Joseph did. He assumed God was in the crisis.” Our spiritual insight can give us a vision that our human foresight cannot. The famine in Egypt was not Joseph’s fault, but he was held responsible for devising a plan that would ensure enough food for all of the people. God gave Joseph spiritual insight in developing a management plan that would feed the people of both Egypt, and the Israelites from Canaan (cf. Genesis 47:23-24, NLT). People often assume that the answer to their dilemma is in something dramatic, or the result of charismatic leadership. But this is not true. Lucado said of Joseph, “[He] never raised the dead, but he kept people from dying.” Endure well and be calm!

Outliving the Crisis –Many students of the Bible have learned the value of following Joseph’s story to its end. Like many of the narratives in sacred Scripture, the epilogue of the story unfolds the beauty of God’s abounding grace and His mercy. The proverbial tables have turned, and the situation has come full circle. Brothers who mistreated their younger sibling, have now become the beneficiaries of his kindness. The brothers have come to the realization that Joseph saved them (and their family) from starvation. A repentant spirit had come, along with their admission of Joseph’s unconditional love. So overwhelmed by their guilt, the brothers requested that they become slaves of Pharaoh. Joseph could have, but did not, treat his brothers they way they treated him. Joseph indentured his brothers to him, so they could eventually recover their losses and live a prosperous life in Egypt (cf. Genesis 47:25-26, NLT). Joseph’s family and the people of his homeland became prosperous in Egypt, living in Goshen, the most fertile region (cf. Genesis 47:27-28, NLT). Over two centuries after Joseph made his bold move, the legislation for Israel required the nation to treat immigrants (foreigners) in their land fairly and justly (cf. Leviticus 19:33-34. NLT). Joseph had set this example when he was governor in Egypt. When we obey God and follow His plan, we will “outlive” our crisis. We must be willing to endure the challenges, and pray for the “inner calm” that God provides. Max Lucado said during the time England was at war with Germany, the British government commissioned a series of posters. The posters were intended to give the public hope during the crisis. Some years after the war, a book store owner found several of the final set of posters printed. In bold letters they simply read: KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. Lucado says, “In the end it’s not the flashy and flamboyant who survive. It is those with steady hands and sober minds.” Outliving a crisis begins by being confident and assured that God is in the midst of our trial. God assured the exiles of this, and it applies to all of His children (cf. Isaiah 41:13-14, NLT). With God, we are assured of an outcome that is much better than where we started (cf. Isaiah 55:12-13a, NLT). God is surely with us!

KEY IDEA

What We Believe

Endure and remain calm, for every crisis has an end.

1. The crises we face, will have a much better outcome!

2. God is present in our crises, even when we don’t recognize Him!

REFERENCE VERSES

Matthew 24:12-13, NLT

“Sin will be rampant every-where, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

2 Timothy 2:3; 5;7, NLT

“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus…And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules…Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand this.”

2 Timothy 4:5, NLT

“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

James 5:11, NLT

“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.”

Psalm 107:28-29, NLT

“Lord help!” they cried in their trouble and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.”

Genesis 47:25-26, NLT

“You have saved our lives! “they exclaimed. “May it please you, my lord, to let us be Pharaoh’s servants. “Joseph then issued a decree still in effect in the land of Egypt, that Pharaoh should receive one-fifth of the crops grown on his land. Only the land belonging to the priests was not given to Pharaoh.”

Genesis 47:27-28, NLT

“Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly. Jacob lived for seventeen years after his arrival in Egypt, so he lived147 years in all.”

Leviticus 19:33-34, NLT

“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

Isaiah 41:13-14, NLT

“For I hold you by your righthand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you. Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord your Redeemer. I am the Holy one of Israel.”

Isaiah 55:12-13a, NLT

“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grow, myrtles will sprout up.”