Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472
January 28th
Our bible reading for today is in chapters 46 and 47.
Eleven sons are back home. After greetings were exchanged, the young men told their father that Joseph was alive. And......that Joseph was the new governor of Egypt...and...all the wagons loaded with supplies were from Joseph’s hand and goodwill.
And Jacob’s spirit was revived...and he said...“It is enough that my son Joseph is alive...”
I must stop for a moment...
For twenty years, Jacob has lived and grieved over the supposed “death” of his son Joseph. He has seen the wagon load of stuff...and he says...” It is enough that my son is alive.”...Implying that the stuff is good...and if I never see him on earth....”It is enough to know he lives.”
I can't help but wonder about the spirit of a brokenhearted mother named Mary...when word reached her that her son, Jesus, was not dead, but alive. Certainly, her spirit was revived. Surely she would try to brush away the pictures of her son’s crucifixion...but if they would not all disappear, I believe, like Jacob, she would think and say, “It is enough to know that my son lives.”
Julie Dawn...your son lives...Pansy Black, Your son lives...Lisa Black, your son lives...
And Jacob and Mary and all believers who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death...here is a chorus that we can all embrace: Written by Bentley Ackley 1933.
“I Serve a risen savior...he’s in the world today...I know that he is living whatever men may say...I see His hand of mercy...I hear His voice of cheer...and just the time I need Him He’s always near.”
“He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today...He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way...
“He lives, He lives salvation to impart...You ask me how I know He lives...He lives within my heart!”
Your words resonate with us, Jacob...as it was with you and Joseph...it is even more with us and Jesus...He is enough because He Lives.
I could stop right here, but there is one more scene in the reading I would like to point out today.
After living in Canaan for 40 years, Jacob and all of his family were leaving home. Jacob wasn't just moving anywhere. He was moving to Egypt. Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, lived there for a while...and his own dad, Isaac, lived there for a while. Both of them had some difficult experiences there...Bad times!
Now note...Even at the age of 130 years old, Jacob was afraid.
How do you know that?
Because right before Jacob’s clan crossed into Egypt, Jacob stopped and waited before the Lord. God spoke to him in a vision that night...
“Jacob, Jacob...I am Almighty God...Don't be afraid to go down to Egypt...I'm going with you...And I am going to make you a great nation there.”
What a confirmation to have...whatever and wherever the next God adventure takes us.
Thanks Lord
Friends have a good day
