Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothing, and came in to Pharaoh.  . . . Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. He made him ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”“
(Genesis 41:14, 39-44)

“As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.””
(Matthew 17:9)

“I waited patiently for Yahweh.
    He turned to me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,
    out of the miry clay.
He set my feet on a rock,
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God.
    Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.“

(Psalm 40:1-3)

Joseph remained faithful when he was in terrible circumstances. He did not let his circumstances dictate his relationship to God or his faithfulness to God’s moral character. David had just sinned (he committed adultery and murder) and had been struck low in his soul (mind, heart, and emotions). But he didn’t let his sin dictate his opinion of God. David did not claim his actions were correct, but submitted to God’s moral character. He didn’t make excuses or claim God had failed. He proclaimed God’s faithfulness, righteousness, and goodness.

Jesus, on the other hand, had potential. The potential to show everyone His inner nature – the pure righteous spirit He had. The potential to claim glory. The potential to claim the limelight. The potential to do what He wanted, when He wanted, the way He wanted. But He didn’t take it. He didn’t actualize that potential. Instead, he hung on tightly to His humbleness. He refused to claim glory – He always gave God the glory. He refused to be in the limelight – He wanted the WORD to speak to the people and often told them not to spread the news of the miracles, signs, and wonders. He chose to ONLY do what the Father showed Him and ONLY speak what the Father told Him to speak. He humbled Himself completely and was willing to chose to be patient and wait for the Father’s timing.

In the lives of all three of these men, the Father’s timing proved correct. They were not lost in poor circumstances. They were not drowned in despair. They were not left broken. persecuted, and alone. They were raised up. They were given victory. They were delivered. They were empowered, assisted, and encouraged to fulfill their role and do what God had raised them to do. They were faithful in following Him His way, and He was faithful in fulfilling His promises AND their potential.

Summary

It’s easy to lose focus. But if we will chose to remember God’s promises and remember all that God has already done for us, our eyes lift to Him. When we submit to His schedule, it can be hard to wait. Hard to hold on. But it is always worth it because He is always correct in His timing. If we do it His way from the beginning, we won’t cause any delays. If we stay faithful and trust in Him, we won’t be disappointed. God is ALWAYS faithful and we should respond with our own faithfulness to His will and His Way.