READING:
One-year plan: Genesis 44-46, Matthew 14:1-33
Two-year plan: Gen 25:1–26:11, Matt 8:28–9:8
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The words are quite gripping, even to all of us who read them centuries after the events took place. Joseph, whose brothers had previously sold him into slavery, had just revealed himself to them. He had wept when he learned more about their family, but now he had made himself known to them.
When he could have easily turned on them, that’s not what Joseph did. Rather, he spoke these words that likely would have been difficult for us to say:
- “And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.” (Gen 45:5)
- “God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.” (Gen 45:7)
- “Therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Gen 45:8)
Learning to trust God’s sovereign hand is seldom easy. In fact, it’s often only in retrospect that we think things through theologically and practically. What most amazes me in this story is that Joseph was so convinced of God’s leadership that he held no grudge against his brothers. When you know you’re in the center of God’s will, you learn how to trust Him even more—even if He changes your plans in an unexpected way. Join me in seeking to trust Him.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you trust God even when things don’t seem fair?
PRAYER: “God, teach me to trust Your sovereign plans.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Genesis 47–50, Matthew 14:34–15:20
Two-year plan: Genesis 26:12–35, Matthew 9:9–26