Joseph oversaw the building of vast storehouses. For seven years a fifth of the
harvest was collected and so much grain was stored that they could not count it
all. After seven years the famine struck the known world around Egypt.
In the land of Goshen, Jacob said to his eleven sons, we’re running out of food but there is grain in Egypt. Go there and buy us some food so that we don’t starve. The brothers left for Egypt but their youngest brother Benjamin stayed home with their father. Joseph administered the selling of grain and he recognized his brothers when they came to Egypt because of the famine. He questioned them about their father the rest of their family. They told him about Jacob, their father Israel and their little brother Benjamin who stayed at home. Joseph realized that Benjamin was his full brother whose mother was Rachel. They told them that they had another half brother who “was no more.” Joseph went into another room and wept when they told him about his father and his brother.
The brothers thought that Joseph would deal harshly with them and that this would be God’s punishment for selling Joseph into slavery and telling their father that he was dead. However, Joseph forgave them and reminded them that the moral of the story is that what men meant for evil God meant for good. All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. God has a plan and a purpose for our lives to will and to do of His good pleasure.
In the land of Goshen, Jacob said to his eleven sons, we’re running out of food but there is grain in Egypt. Go there and buy us some food so that we don’t starve. The brothers left for Egypt but their youngest brother Benjamin stayed home with their father. Joseph administered the selling of grain and he recognized his brothers when they came to Egypt because of the famine. He questioned them about their father the rest of their family. They told him about Jacob, their father Israel and their little brother Benjamin who stayed at home. Joseph realized that Benjamin was his full brother whose mother was Rachel. They told them that they had another half brother who “was no more.” Joseph went into another room and wept when they told him about his father and his brother.
The brothers thought that Joseph would deal harshly with them and that this would be God’s punishment for selling Joseph into slavery and telling their father that he was dead. However, Joseph forgave them and reminded them that the moral of the story is that what men meant for evil God meant for good. All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. God has a plan and a purpose for our lives to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Joseph accepted what God was doing in his life. Acceptance is to give favor and approval of what God is working in us and through us. We accept God’s will during the times of trial. The question we must ask ourselves is, “Does God really love us? Does He really have our best interest in mind? Is He really a God of plan and purpose?”
A loving father disciplines those he loves. He will make disciples through his discipline training. Correction means to restore to an upright position. Through the trial we will learn that tribulation works patience and patience works experience, and experience produces hope and hope makes one not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. When we were “born again” into God’s kingdom, we were born into a new kind of life. The norms and rules of God’s kingdom are different from the norms of this present world.
Through the trial we will learn what Corrie ten Boom said, We’ll never know that Jesus is all we need until he is all we have. He is the first and last, the beginning and the end. He is the architect and purpose for my life. He was dead and brought life. No army can defeat him. He is goodness, kindness and gentleness. His way is right. His word is eternal. He is my joy, my comfort, and my all in all. He is the ruler of rulers and the leader of leaders. He is the Sovereign one; the Lord of all. He’s given all opportunities to praise him despite the trials.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, “And the
very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it.”
The question is, “Do you know Him?” As we endure the pestilence of this hour and as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words from Rev. S.M. Lockridge’s sermon are appropriate. Here is the link of the video of this famous message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE&feature=related
The question is, “Do you know Him?” As we endure the pestilence of this hour and as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words from Rev. S.M. Lockridge’s sermon are appropriate. Here is the link of the video of this famous message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE&feature=related
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
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