17 September 2025
Daily Devotion:
"A Father's Hope"
Genesis 48:11
New Living Translation
11 Then Jacob said to Joseph, “I never thought I would see your face again, but now God has let me see your children, too!”
Israel believed that his son had been dead for years. He had no reason to expect to see Joseph's face again on earth. There wasn't much hope for a surprise reunion. It would have never occurred to him to even ask for such a thing. Can you think of something you long for but have never thought to pray about?
A person who lives joyfully always remembers that God goes above and beyond for His people. Has God ever done something for you that caused you to say, “I never expected that”? It makes you wonder what else you may have missed out on (James 4:2). Many people don't ask for things because they fear disappointment.Longings often come from a tender place within, and we fear the damage one more disappointment would cause. Joy comes when we no longer fear disappointment and bravely ask our God for abundance (Ephesians 3:20).
