Day 15: Genesis 43, 44, 45 and 46

My son Joseph is still alive! (Genesis 45:28)

Jacob’s favorite son had been sold into slavery by his brothers. The evidence they planted convinced him Joseph had been torn apart by wild animals. Meanwhile their brother was transported to Egypt where, without God’s involvement, there was no way the family would ever be reunited.

Time attenuates but does not erase a father’s loss. Then Canaan is hit with the worst famine Jacob can remember from his considerably long lifetime. Who would have thought this hunger sweeping his land would give Jacob reason to rejoice after everything he’d been through? Apparently the fat lady hadn’t yet begun to sing.

Jacob’s sons return from their latest trip with the incredible news that Joseph, the beloved son Jacob had long thought dead, is not only alive and preparing a place for them in Egypt, but he’s running the place! No screenwriter in Hollywood could have conceived this God-ordained turn of events. Though we may not know details of how our story will end, isn’t it good to know we can trust God to work everything out for the good?

The Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me of chapters 37 and 42 becomes the Hallelujah Chorus of chapter 46. Could it be the very events that are causing you pain today will be the catalyst for rejoicing in days to come? Whether we have a good day or a bad day often boils down not to circumstances, but to perspective.

How's yours?