Last time we saw that God is
working in our lives. We might not see it when we are going through
some particularly bad things in our lives, but one day we will look
back and see that He is truly looking out for our best interest,
just like He did with Joseph. If we walk close to Him, listening to
His voice, we can rest assured that all things are working together
for our good, as God promises in Romans 8:28.
Joseph looked back at his life and
could see the unmistakable hand of God everywhere and in all
situations. God brought him to Egypt and raised him up to second in
command so that he could help not only the people in Egypt, but
those in Israel as well, his family, God's chosen nation. Joseph
reassured his brothers that they shouldn't be afraid of him. In
fact he announced that they should go back home and fetch all their
belongings, their family and livestock and come and live with him.
He announced that he would provide for them and look after them.
Then he fell on the neck of Benjamin and wept, he then moved on to
his other brothers and kissed them and wept over them. Only then
did his brothers start to talk to him. I think they were now
beginning to realize that he didn't intend to harm them, but to
look after them.
Pharaoh quickly heard that Joseph's
brothers had come and it pleased him. He gave carts to Joseph's
brothers so that they can go and fetch all their belongings and
families. He also announced that he would give the very best of
Egypt to his brothers. They loaded the carts with wonderful things,
changes of garments, grain, bread and food. His brothers left Egypt
truly loaded with the best.
When they arrived in Israel they
gave their father the good news:
"Joseph is still alive, and he
is governor over all the land of Egypt." And Jacob's heart stood
still, because he didn't believe them. But when they told him all
the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts
which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob revived.
Then Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I
will go and see him before I die." Genesis 45:26-28
Jacob couldn't believe his ears
when he heard that Joseph was still alive. But he believed once he
saw all the goods that they returned home with. He was overwhelmed,
the Bible says his spirit revived.
Sometimes it is difficult for us to
believe in the goodness of God too. Sometimes we battle to believe
that He wants the best for us and that good things will come our
way. It is in those times that we need to remember what God has
done for His people in the Bible. We need to know the Scriptures so
that we can recall all His good deeds and allow it to build our
faith. We also need to write down times when God has been good to
us. All of us had times like that in the past. And we need to
remember those times. We need to remind ourselves of how good God
has been to us and how He promises to be good to us again in
future. This helps us to continue to look up to Him, trusting Him
with our lives. He can indeed be trusted.
He brought Joseph 'back from the
dead' so to speak for Jacob. How much more is He willing to do for
us living under the New Covenant. We have His Spirit living on the
inside of us, reminding us of His Word and encouraging us to trust
Him. We have His Spirit leading us unto new heights, we simply need
to follow His leading. He truly wants the best for His children. Of
course what we think is best for us and what He knows would be best
for us isn't necessarily the same, but as we have seen all things
work in the end together for our good if we love God and walk
according to His Word. Just as Joseph did. Praise His Name.
Father thank you that You are a
good, good Father. You are amazing and we trust in You. Our lives
are in Your hands and it is the best place to be. We are so
grateful to You. Amen