By Emily
This morning in my daily devotions I read the story of Joseph. The coat of many colors, jealous brothers, sold into slavery, dreams interpreted…these are all the things I remember reading of the story of Joseph from the time I’ve been able to read. It’s a popular story of the Bible. While reading this morning a new portion of the story seemed to resonate with me and that is the part found in Genesis 45:3-8.
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and the lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”
As I meditated on this passage throughout the day, I wonder what God is preparing to reveal to me. Will I encounter hardships to be bent and molded in order to find new ways to glorify the Father? Or has God led me through a season that He wants me to identify ways to respond as Joseph did, “For God has sent me.” Perhaps, it’s the reminder to simply recognize each passing days and the trials and joys of each are opportunities to claim the His power over them.
One thing I do know is that I am thankful that God has allowed me to learn of Him through the Word in my language. What a blessing to start the day in His Word and what an honor to be able to serve in a capacity to help people of this world have that opportunity.
Lord, humble me to recognize this gift each and every day!
What a good reminder, Emily. May God continue to work through you as you have opened your life to what He may call you to each day. Have a joyful one today. -Ruth (Gerald too)