June 9 – Genesis 50

June 9 – Genesis 50

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 50

Record a verse that stands out to you

Respond to God

But God keeps His promises

Remember way back in Joseph’s early life, his brothers were extremely jealous and ultimately Joseph was sold into slavery by them?  That is a hugely simple overview, for a more in depth view, check out Genesis 37.  Today we are in chapter 50, and here we have his brothers who, after their father’s death, are extremely worried about their past sins against Joseph and God.  They go to him and once again ask for his forgiveness.  After all those years, they still don’t understand the depth of Joseph’s forgiveness. They didn’t understand the depth of his affection for them.

We are sometimes like the brothers, underestimating the great depth of God’s love and affection for us.  We may profess it with our mouth, but our actions can say differently… and loudly!  Joseph’s response to them was as if to say, ‘Don’t you see??  You meant to harm me, you who had sinful hearts. And yet, God already knew how it would end.  He already had it orchestrated so that it would bring glory to God.  How can you still not see?!’

Sinful people will do sinful things.  God Himself cannot.  What He can do is use the icks for His glory.  It is miraculous and merciful!  We are not doomed to the err of others. If we ourselves are in step with the Spirit and in the will of God, then God will use the ick that surround us to bring glory to Himself.

Because nothing is out of His control, He is the orchestrator of all things, He can and does use it for His will.  Even suffering?  Yes!  Even temptation?  Yes!  Will God leave us alone in those times?  Of course not!  Verse 24, Joseph reminded his brothers that God will visit them and fulfill His promises and so shall He you. He will be with you very presently, He cannot not be so, because of His Spirit within you.

O merciful God!

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

(Further Reading: Genesis 37, 45)

O merciful God above, to You be all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise.  To you we lift our faces, our voices, are hearts and we shout your name.  We praise You, we praise You!!!!

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 50: 20,24, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” “And Joseph said to his brothers, “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.”