Prayer Focus: The Americas
Bible Reading: Genesis 47-50
Scripture
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Gen. 50:19-21)
Observation
Two things I need to be reminded of:
1. The story isn’t done yet.
2. God is able to use even awful things to accomplish great things.
This gives me hope and it gives me perspective. We all have things in our lives that we can’t make sense out of. Seemingly senseless or awful things that we had no control over or might not have been our fault. But God isn’t done with our story. Sometimes, like Joseph, we are able to see the fruits of those wilderness times. Sometimes the fruits don’t ripen until after we are gone. But this verse reminds me that He has a plan and He will accomplish it.
Yeah, that gives me hope.
Application
Today I will look at my life, and remember that the story isn’t done yet. That family member I’m praying for salvation for? That story isn’t done yet. The job situation that I don’t know what to do about? Not done yet. The sin I’ve been struggling with and it sometimes wins? Not done yet. He’s not done with me yet. No matter how terrible my situation seems or feels or is… He can still do great things with it, because he has a plan.
It’s why I need Him so much. Because He knows what He’s doing when I often don’t have a clue.
Prayer
Lord, help me trust you. Help me relax in the truth that I might not be able to see in my every day; that you mean all things for my good. For the good in my moments, and for the good of your people. Amen.
January 20, 2012 at 7:41 PM
Very nicely and thought provoking SOAP. Teri and I have enjoyed reading the book of Genesis, the Beginning (once you get your tongue untwisted from trying to pronounce all the names of course). Loved the ending of Jacob (Israel) where he gave his blesssing to each of his children (tribes of Israel). Unlike today’s parents (often, not always), he did not let his emotions override his mind when giving each one his blessing appropriate to each, whether they liked it or not. His focus was obedience to God.
Thank you Lord for your work in mine and our lives and revealing your thoughts and your ways to us in a new and special way each time we read and meditate on your Word as you have instructed us to do. May praise and glory be all to you.
In Jesus name. Amen
January 22, 2012 at 9:41 AM
Before we leave Genesis behind, there are two patterns (there are more, but I think these are the most significant) which I would like to call everyone’s attention to.
1) Over, and over, and over yet again, we see the first rejected and the second exalted: Cain–Abel/Seth, Ishmael–Isaac, Esau–Jacob, Leah–Rachel, and finally, Manansah–Ephram.
(But please note that, when the rejected one seeks to be righteous and to accept their condition, God blesses them: Ishmael, Esau (eventually), and Leah.
And over and over we see examples of two individuals who deserve to be rejected; one of whom is indeed condemned but the other of whom is not only forgiven, but exalted: the baker and the cup-bearer, Simeon and Levi.
I call your attention to these two because they continue to recur throughout the Bible. Saul and David as examples of the first, and Judas and Peter as examples of the second.
God used patterns for a reason. We do well to learn to recognize them.