Read Genesis 46:28-47:12
Let me bring you back to only a few chapters ago when Joseph’s family was scraping around just to come up with enough food for them and their families. They were desperate, willing to do anything—prostrating themselves at the feet of a foreigner—to beg that they be sold grain to nourish their loved ones. Everything seemed utterly dismal, especially as Joseph’s brothers were tested by God through Joseph: everything from being accused of being spies to being forced to bring Benjamin to Egypt to finding the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag to having to choose whether or not to give up on Benjamin to Judah offering his life in exchange for Benjamin’s. Yet, as we look at the passage for today, we see God’s faithfulness coming to pass. All the seemingly terrible things that happen to Joseph’s family are shown to be all a part of God’s plan: if Joseph hadn’t been sold, then all of them would have been begging for grain from Pharaoh—who probably wouldn’t have any without Joseph’s help! So all of the craziness leading up to this point has been a part of God’s plan; and God’s plan is GOOD! Just look at what begins to happen towards the end of this story (aka today’s passage): Jacob and Joseph are tearfully reunited, Joseph and his entire family are looked upon extraordinarily favorably by Pharaoh, Joseph’s family is allowed to settle in the best part of Egypt in Goshen…what more can one ask for? Jeremiah 29:11 says this: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” How true is this statement! Maybe you’re at that stage where God is still testing you or being strangely silent and you still can’t see God’s mercy being poured out. But rest assured, that time will come. God WILL come, drenching you in his rains of mercy.
Where are you today? Do you feel like you’re in the midst of a famine right now, that you cannot feel God at all? Maybe on a journey to seek food, to try to find nourishment for your soul? Or feeling convicted of your past wrongs, when you haven’t lived as God desired? Perhaps astonishment and a little fear at God’s unexpected blessings in your life? Possibly inadequacy or anxiety about returning to God because you’ve already gone to Him seemingly one-too-many times? Maybe you’re feeling condemned for the things you have or haven’t done? Or having to sacrifice so much for someone you’re supposed to love? Perhaps joy finally as you look back and realize that everything that God has brought you through has been according to His perfect plan for your life? Whatever the case, I believe that you will one day—sooner or later—come out of the darkness of the seemingly endless tunnel you’re in now and be bowled over by God’s great love for you. What that looks like, how that will come about, all those details…only God knows all that. But if you’re in a tough place right now, look at Joseph and his family’s story and be encouraged. God knows about your needs and He will provide for you in abundantly good ways. So don’t give up right now. Keep running the good race and you will see God’s mercy being dumped all over your life in fantastic ways soon. Because our God is good and His mercy endures FOREVER!
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