June 8 – Genesis 48

June 8 – Genesis 48

Dear Father, we come before You in praise and with thanksgiving for You give us our,

‘But God’ moments. You orchestrate our lives for Your glory. May we in our quiet time recognize You for who You are: our Lord God, the God of Israel.

First, do your own quiet time and 4R journaling.  When you are completed, come back here for the lesson.

Request God’s help

Read Genesis 48

Record a verse that stands out to you

Respond to God

But God is with you

I have yet to experience a well-seasoned familial Jesus follower’s dying, so I don’t fully understand what that is like.  Such as with this experience of Joseph losing his father, a father who walked so closely with God, the conduit through which a covenant will be kept. But I have had “spiritual grandparents”, you know those older godly people who become like grandparents,  go on to glory before me and one day my own faith filled parents will make that journey.  And in that moment my own spiritual guide posts will be no longer here.  And while I might feel lost and disoriented for a time, my faith and heritage in Jesus will not!

But God!  God has and will never leave my side!  Just as God’s promises and covenant did not die with Jacob, neither will they for me!  What a promise, what a gift of hope for Jacob to remind Joseph that God’s promises do not die with him, they are still carried through.  Joseph is reminded that God never breaks his promise, that he and his descendants have a heritage to claim, the hope of heaven,  of promises kept.  That all is not lost, everything is gained.  What comfort Joseph must have felt in that, that in his father’s last moments, he left him with the legacy of trusting in our great and faithful God.

And speaking of legacy, take a look at Genesis 50:24, what does Joseph then say to the sons of Israel upon his death? “ I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Joseph left the same assurances that his father left him, to trust in God, for God is faithful. What a beautiful legacy and promise.

And it is true for us too.  We Jesus followers have a heritage in Him, a hope in Him, promises in Him, a family of adoption in Him.  We have everything if we just have Jesus.  But God…. But God will keep His promises. But God will bring us to the land of our Abba.  But God will steadfastly love us.  So, do not be dismayed, and do not fear, for God is with you, His rod and His staff will guide you all the days of your life.  He will lead you beside the still waters, and bring you to rest in lush green grass.  Rest in the promise that He can never leave you.

“ It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””   Deuteronomy 31:8

(Further Reading: Genesis 12:1-9; Genesis 15)

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for You are the Lord who goes before us.  We thank You because You are with us, You will never leave us!  We stand before you fearless and without dismay!

What’s next?

As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.  Then join us again tomorrow for the next commentary.

My Verse: Genesis 48:21, “Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers.