Last week we learned that we cannot
plan the future to the core. We cannot make sure that everything
will work out as we had planned. Yes, of course we can plan and do
our responsibility, but then we need to let go and let God. He
knows best and He will lead the way forward.
Jacob sent his sons, Benjamin
included, to Egypt to go and buy food for them. Upon arrival Joseph
greeted them and invited them to his house. They were beside
themselves with worry and were afraid and immediately tried to
rectify the situation:
"O sir, we indeed came down the
first time to buy food; but it happened, when we came to the
encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man's money
was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have
brought it back in our hand. And we have brought down other money
in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our
sacks." Genesis 43:20-22
They didn't know what was going on
and immediately assumed it was because they didn't pay the first
time. But Joseph's steward played along and ensured them that their
money was received. And it is wonderful to see that the steward of
Joseph's house gave glory to God:
"Peace be with you, do not be
afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure
in your sacks; I had your money." Genesis 43:23
How wonderful that the steward of
Joseph gave glory to God. He must have learned about God from
Joseph. He must have seen how Joseph conducted himself and he must
have heard about how God interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and how it
became a reality. Joseph certainly was an early evangelist in his
time. He attributed all his success to God.
The people that work for us, the
car attendant at shopping malls, the cashier at grocery stores, the
waiter at a restaurant etc. look at us and how we treat people.
They look at us and we have the opportunity to show them a loving
God. God lives within us, we are His Temple and He wants us to show
His love to a broken and lost world. Our children also look to us
to learn about God. They look at our actions and what we say and
how we treat other people. We can preach to them and quote
Scriptures to them until we are blue in the face, but our
actions will turn them towards God or away from Him. We
need to live what we preach. I know it is not always easy and I
know that we have off days too. But in general we need to allow His
Spirit to flow through us and influence the people around us for
His glory.
Joseph was an impeccable example,
people started to honor God because of him, and today we have an
advantage over him, because His Spirit lives within us. We need to
spend time with Him and allow Him to move mightily in our lives.
Our flesh is weak and we wouldn't be able to do much on our own,
but if we give Him free reign in our lives, He can move through us
and change the world to be a better place.
Father please move through us and
work through us. We give You free reign. In our flesh we are weak
and would not be able to do much, but with You by our side, we can
truly influence people for Your Kingdom. Thank you that You are
always with us. Amen