Happy Thanksgiving from the Women's Ministry!

Do you ever struggle with the thought of how you can magnify the Lord despite your ordinary circumstances or difficult relationships?

In Psalm 69 we read that the psalmist magnified the Lord through the giving of thanks: “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)

In light of this week’s Thanksgiving holiday, what better time is there to extol His name and to see Him for who He truly is – our great and awesome God – as we magnify Him in our lives as we offer Him thanks?

In concluding our study on the life of Joseph last week, we considered five views he held which shaped his life, responses, and relationships.  We won’t be able to help but give God thanks, thus magnifying His name, as we allow each view to influence our own hearts as we behold the effects of these truths in our lives.

In response to his brothers’ fears, Joseph replied: “‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:19-21)

First, Joseph asked, “Am I in the place of God?”  He knew God was God and therefore ruled over all, including himself and everything that happened in his life.  It was settled in his heart first and foremost and this affected everything – and everyone – around him.

Next, he acknowledged his brothers’ intent to harm him but because of view #1, his view of God superseded his view of man.  He knew that nothing and no one could thwart God’s plan.

Third, he recognized what God was able to do: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”  Since Joseph knew that God ruled over all, it was no problem for him to believe that God could, and did, overrule all.

Fourth, Joseph adopted God’s definition of what was good.  Notice that the good he spoke of involved the saving of many lives.  It was not just what was “good” for Joseph but rather what was good for many.

Finally, as a recipient of grace, he became a vessel of grace.  He was able to deal kindly with his brothers, offering them grace that they themselves knew they did not deserve, because he was first a recipient of the immense kindness and abundant grace of God.

As for magnifying the Lord and making His name great this Thanksgiving and beyond?

Joseph reminds us that it does not require the perfect circumstances or being around the perfect people.  Rather, it simply requires holding a big view of who God is and what He is able to do.   

Which of these five lessons are you most thankful for today?  And perhaps which view could use a little sharpening?

Remember:

1) God is God.  And you are His.  There is no more blessed place to be than under His care and authority.

2) Allow your view of God to supersede your view of people, circumstances, hardships, and misfortunes.  Those people or events do not hold the outcome of your life in their hands; God does.

3) Remember your “but God” moments.  That is your testimony as well as Joseph’s!  And because He rules over all, He is able to overrule all – even the hard things you may be going through right now.

4) Redefine your definition of “good” in light of Romans 8:28.  This assures us that God will work the good and the bad for the ultimate good.

5) If you are stretched beyond your ability this holiday season (or any time) and are required to extend a kindness and grace that seems downright impossible to give, remember what kindness and grace you’ve first received when you were least deserving.

“I will use expressions of thanks to make his name more widely known.”  (Barnes)

What a privilege it is to magnify His name with thanksgiving!

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving,

Cara Blondo

Ps - Click here to listen to this or any message from the Fall Women’s Study on the life of Joseph and click here for further Thanksgiving and gratitude related devotionals.