YEar 2 Day 299

Year 2 Day 299


Pray (ACts)


Read - Genesis 46


Message - Scott Woodburn
The family of Israel began to make their way towards Egypt but what would become of the promises of God? The Lord had been clear about possession of the land of Canaan and now the entire clan was upping sticks and moving to a foreign land - would the purposes of God fail? Perish the thought. Just as the Lord is sovereign over famines, He is sovereign over our travels and travails. His Word doesn’t return empty, the Lord will accomplish all that He plans.


If Israel had any doubts about the move, the Lord gently disabused him of his worry. After Israel had worshipped the Lord (v1) the Lord spoke to him in a dream and urged him not to be afraid to go to Egypt (v3a). The words “do not be afraid” may be simple but they often bring such comfort to a frightened soul. God Himself speaks these words to Jacob. The Lord had a clear purpose in taking His people to Egypt for it would be there that He would make them into a great nation (v3b).


God’s ways are not our ways and sometimes we sinfully question His wisdom. But the Lord is no fool, His promises will not fail and we are to trust Him even when we cannot make sense of the journey in front of us. The Lord was going to multiply His people in Egypt, He knew them by name (v8-v25) and He counted every single one (v26-27).


Yet surely as the Lord would take His people and multiply them in Egypt, His plan was to eventually bring them home. “I will also bring you up again” said the Lord. The descendants of Israel would indeed return to the promised land. They would not spend their entire history by the Nile but they would one day cross the Jordan and return home.


But before that day Jacob would see Joseph once more. The Lord promised that “Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes” (v4b) or in simple terms Jacob would see his beloved son before it was time for Jacob to die.


It had been twenty-three years since Jacob had last seen his son. Joseph’s apparent death had caused his father great heartache and he couldn’t quite believe that Joseph was still alive and thriving in Egypt. We can imagine the anguish from both father and son and all of it poured away in joy filled weeping as they were reunited (v29). God’s plans had not failed. The sojourn in Egypt would not trouble the Lord. He would fulfil all that He promised and from this troubled but now reunited family would come the Saviour of all of God’s elect people.


The Christian walk is a difficult one which often seems too long for our legs with too many twists, turns and detours. Yet today with confidence we lift our eyes to Christ and remember that He is for us. Life may rarely make sense and at times it can seem that the Lord is exceptionally slow in answering our prayers but He hasn’t forgotten you, for He cannot forget you.


I do not know what troubles you today but without an ounce of patronising let me point you again to Christ. Today He intercedes for you. His plans are being fulfilled. One day you will see Him with you own eyes. So precious child of God because of Jesus…do not be afraid, it’s going to be okay.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q59 Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath? From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week, ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath.