I just finished reading Genesis again after more times than
I can count. Yet, I can hardly read about Joseph in the Bible (Gen 37-50)
without weeping. It is such a beautiful, remarkable story of redemption! God
turned a whole family around. Not only did He redeem Joseph but he changed Judah
from being the one to sell Joseph into slavery, to pleading for Benjamin’s life
and offering himself as a slave in Benjamin’s place. That is an amazing turn
around and it gives me hope! So much trouble in one family turned around for
good. God used what was meant for evil into good. (Gen. 45:3-5,7-8) God is our
Redeemer and He is in the business of redeeming. We are all imperfect people
who have imperfect parents, imperfect children, imperfect siblings, friends, co-
workers, husbands and wives! In the midst of evil, all of our sorrow and pain
and trials, God is living and active. He loves us! He is for us! He is powerful and good and
He does good and righteous things!
2 Cor 4:17 and 18 tells us, “For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.”
Just as God transformed evil plans and emotional and
physical hardships to redeem a people, Israel ,
He is doing the same for those who love Him and are called according to His
purposes. Do not despair! Keep focused on the Lord and trust in Him. “You will
keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in
You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in
Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”
(Isa 26:3,4)
God is working all things together for good to those who
love God and are called according to His purpose.(Rom 8:28 ) “God called Israel
to go and be a blessing.”( Gen 12:2) and Jacob(Israel
) blessed people till he died, even the Pharaoh!
“So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before
Pharaoh.” (Gen 47:10)
God is calling us to do the same in the midst of all our
trials and suffering and the evil in this world. Go and be a blessing.
Thanks for posting it was an encouragement to me!
ReplyDelete-Maggie
Praise the Lord! I am so glad this was an encouragement to you. I praise God for the blessing you are to our family! Love you. Maggie.
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