This is one
of those entries, where I wonder how the verse ever became associated with the
entry substance. It has the most oblique
application in the person of Joseph. The
verse is Genesis 41:40 where the Pharaoh of Egypt gives Joseph control of the
land to prepare for the coming famine.
If it were not for Joseph, I’m not sure how this verse would apply at
all. Joseph does demonstrate a very
interested and elevated example of the life Chambers writes of. Even though Chambers is referring to living
as a Temple of the Holy Spirit, Joseph lives his life in much the same way
Chambers describes.
While it’s
possible that Joseph represents one of those people in the Hebrew Scriptures
who has the Holy Spirit, it does not specifically refer to him that way. It’s really clear in the account that God is
with him growing up and in Egypt, but that reference used with the judges, prophets
and kings is missing. Joseph may have
been one who kept himself pure without the benefit I have of the Holy
Spirit. He was upright in all he did,
demonstrated integrity in his dealings, and God gave him success everywhere he
turned.
Chambers says
that living a holy life is possible for me.
I really didn’t want to read that, but I suspect he is right, at least
to a large degree. I do have the
responsibility to live this life being holy to my Master. I have to accept that my Master wouldn’t command
it if it weren’t within my power, limited as it is. My suspicion is that with this, as will so
many other areas of obedience, requires focus on Him rather focus on my
actions. I suspect that my holy behavior
will fall in line with my Master naturally by my association with Him. At least, all advances to this point in this
area have worked that way.
It’s when I get
caught up in what I’m doing and the environment I do it in rather than before
Whom I do it that the problems come. I
do everything in plain view of my Master.
It is in His presence that I live and breathe and have my being. So, living like that, practicing that in the
mundane elements of my life, and not worrying about one misstep. The environment is not an excuse for me to
step out of holiness. It’s never that
bad that my Master is no longer Master over that too. Those around me need the holiness of my
Master more than I need their approval.
So, I agree
with Chambers here. I don’t want to,
partly because I have said for years that I’m powerless, taking that as an
excuse to live without power. But I do
believe in One powerful enough to overcome my insanity. And I do believe that when I commit my will
to Him, holiness follows. I can’t use
powerlessness as an excuse, that’s part of my environment. But devotion and submission to my Master
overcomes my environment, including my nature.
I am without excuses, my Master is present with me, and I have all that
is necessary for holiness.
This week I have
another opportunity to prove what my Master can do. My wife will be travelling, and the
loneliness will be my constant companion again.
Thankfully, once my daughter comes home, she will be a comfort to me,
and she really is. It is during the busy
day and later in the evening that I will need to seek my Master. These will be times to practice His presence
in the daily routine and in the normality of my life. This has been something I have experienced
more and more this past year. I suspect
my pastor would be happy to know I was listening yesterday. This is exactly what he preached on, and he
did so really well.
No comments:
Post a Comment