January 16
Genesis 42:1-45:15
We love movies with a surprise ending. I can still remember the first time I watched Sixth Sense and only discovered the real meaning of the movie at its conclusion. Many of the stories in the Bible have similar stories of twists, turns, and shocking outcomes. Joseph’s life is one of these. He shifts from favored child, to slave, to prisoner, to second in command of the nation Egypt. He moves from rejected brother to savior of his family. It is a powerful story of God’s miraculous intervention and ability to use broken situations for his glory.
In fact, every one of our stories is like this. We move from enemies of God to family, from slave to free, from sinner to righteous. The story of the Bible is a radical story of God's transforming work of grace. This grace is not despite our sin, but right in the midst of it. Joseph proclaims that God was behind his being sold into slavery in order that he might bring salvation to the world. In hardship, sin, and distress, we may feel like God has abandoned us, but God is working right in the middle of it. As he says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Yes, all things.
Father God, thank you that you are a gracious, loving God. I confess I do not always recognize your loving hand at work, but help me to always trust you. Help me to see the good you are working in difficulty and pain, and help me to rely on you through it all. Amen.
What would help you to learn to praise God amid hardships and trials?
We love movies with a surprise ending. I can still remember the first time I watched Sixth Sense and only discovered the real meaning of the movie at its conclusion. Many of the stories in the Bible have similar stories of twists, turns, and shocking outcomes. Joseph’s life is one of these. He shifts from favored child, to slave, to prisoner, to second in command of the nation Egypt. He moves from rejected brother to savior of his family. It is a powerful story of God’s miraculous intervention and ability to use broken situations for his glory.
In fact, every one of our stories is like this. We move from enemies of God to family, from slave to free, from sinner to righteous. The story of the Bible is a radical story of God's transforming work of grace. This grace is not despite our sin, but right in the midst of it. Joseph proclaims that God was behind his being sold into slavery in order that he might bring salvation to the world. In hardship, sin, and distress, we may feel like God has abandoned us, but God is working right in the middle of it. As he says in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Yes, all things.
Father God, thank you that you are a gracious, loving God. I confess I do not always recognize your loving hand at work, but help me to always trust you. Help me to see the good you are working in difficulty and pain, and help me to rely on you through it all. Amen.
What would help you to learn to praise God amid hardships and trials?
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