Today’s Devotional: Marvelous Condescension!
This entry from Morning and Evening describes the help God offers Joseph in Genesis 49:24. Spurgeon describes God as actually putting his arms around Joseph’s, steadying them like a father for his child:
There is nought that we can do without the power of God. All true strength comes from “the mighty God of Jacob.” Notice in what a blessedly familiar way God gives this strength to Joseph—”The arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.” Thus God is represented as putting His hands on Joseph’s hands, placing His arms on Joseph’s arms. Like as a father teaches his children, so the Lord teaches them that fear Him. He puts His arms upon them. Marvellous condescension! God Almighty, Eternal, Omnipotent, stoops from His throne and lays His hand upon the child’s hand, stretching His arm upon the arm of Joseph, that he may be made strong!
Read the rest of the devotional at Crosswalk.com.
How has God “steadied your hands” recently? Do you feel God helping you as you go about your day?
I simply do not like the word – condescension as it carries with it a sense of arrogance. Our Almighty Father is never arrogant and everything that comes from God comes from His loving and yielding. That said, I love the rest of the writing.
As for responding to church critics, I say, in the Christlike manner of open acknowledgement and with love. Nothing will ever be gained for the church or the kingdom in anger or pride. Accept the criticism, express gratitude for the honest sharing and if nothing else agree to disagree or take the criticism under advsement.