Reactions, Regret and Hope

1 Peter 1:13-23

As humans, we tend to react to things as they happen, with more raw emotion than thought.  Reading today’s passage, I was struck by verse 20, “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”  God doesn’t react in the moment - things have been planned since before time.  God has always known what he was/is going to do.

There is intention behind everything that comes from God and for us, being “holy in all we do” is a call to be intentional.  We need to think about it, plan for it.  If we leave our reactions up to mere chance, then we’re likely to find ourselves in some unholy places.

And just as being holy takes intention, to “set your hope on grace” also takes consideration.  Hope is based on planning ahead.  Hope itself means a desire for a certain thing to happen; wanting something to happen or be the case.

I’ve heard some people say hope is futile.  That it’s for fools and the weak.  I’m guessing they haven’t read Acts 2:23-28 from The Message, “this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. David said it all:

I saw God before me for all time.

    Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side.
I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic;
    I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.
I know you’ll never dump me in Hades;
    I’ll never even smell the stench of death.
You’ve got my feet on the life-path,
    with your face shining sun-joy all around.

Pitching my tent in the land of hope makes it so much easier to resist conforming to evil desires, which implies impulsivity, the consequence of which is regret.  But with God there are no regrets and life with no regrets sounds pretty good.

Joseph's family's first visit to Egypt -- Genesis 42

Yesterday we witnessed Joseph's rise from jailbird to top dog;  from lowly servant to exalted Governor.  Today we watch Joseph experience yet another life changing event.  As Joseph is meeting with people who have come to buy grain, he spots his brothers.  They have bowed down, not recognizing Joseph, but he knows who they are.  Is this a moment he has waited for or one he has dreaded?

I imagine myself in Joseph's place.  I would be playing the old tapes in my mind; perhaps remembering the last time I saw my brothers.  I am recalling my cries to them, begging them to help me.  My heart would be heavy.  This is a normal reaction, but there is not much normal about Joseph, is there?  God has been working with and for Joseph, preparing him for this moment in time.

God does that for us too.  All the pain and suffering we have endured to this point, God will use to further His kingdom.  Scottish author and missionary, Daniel Crawford wrote: "There is never a majestic mountain without a deep valley, there is no birth without pain."

Can you relate to Joseph's dilemma?  His mind is racing with questions. He is wondering if they have changed as he has.  He may be questioning their motives; are they here to spy or are they truly hungry?  Where is my younger brother, Benjamin; have they eliminated him too?  Don't you find these Bible stories just keep pulling you in?  Aren't they just as relevant today as yesterday? 

To read all the text for today go to Biblegate and Genesis 42.  To return to this posting hit the back arrow.

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