Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13
Genesis 44:20 And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’
When you repeat a lie often enough you will eventually believe it. I wonder if Joseph's brothers believed this lie at this point. It has been about 22 years at this point if I did the math right. 22 years of telling the same lie to yourself and others I could see them convincing themselves that he probably was really dead by now. That is one of the ways that the enemy tears us down too. What lie is it that you have heard so many times that you started to repeat it and now you believe it so strongly that it is what you are living. Maybe "Your not worthy". How about "You have to do it all on your own."? Or more like Josephs brothers, "There is nothing you can do about it now so it's better keep telling the lie." Whatever it is the truth will always come out.
45:3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
And when the truth came out they were terrified. What they did to Joseph was out of selfishness and bitterness. They lived their lives thinking about themselves and their own benefit so it is no wonder they were terrified in Joseph's presence. If it where them who had been wronged as Joseph was their response would have been anger and revenge. And that is what they expected Joseph to do.
45:6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Joseph's continuous recognition of God in every area of his life over the last 22 years has influenced his heart and his attitude toward those who had it in their hearts to hurt him. He did not hold it against them because he recognized God's hand in all things. This is the secret to contentment and freedom from worry. When we can recognize God's hand in all things good and bad then there is no one to blame and nothing to worry about.
Toni, your words today hold so much truth. Thank you for sharing.
Matthew:
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This is one of my favorite examples of faith, trust in God and the love of God. I love this scene in “The Chosen” series, when…