Page 44 - Living Light 90

Wednesday October 15 - Turning trials to triumphs Both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. Genesis 47:13
“It’s not fair!” That’s a stock phrase kids use when things don’t go their way. For those of us who are Christians we need to take care that we don’t react in similar fashion to the negative things life throws at us. Jacob and his family could have been forgiven for not understanding why they were suffering the same effects of the famine as the nations who didn’t worship God. Surely, God’s people should be immune from the travails of life? Not so! Jesus said as much when he told his disciples that “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).
The Bible promises that one day God will make all things new, and these troubles will be no more. But this side of eternity, trouble abounds. As it was with Jacob and his family, so it is with those of us who live for Jesus. Yes, there may be pain, but God can wonderfully turn our trials into triumphs. The famine that brought the Hebrew people to Egypt ultimately resulted in some outcomes the Israelites could never have envisaged, including exponential population growth and being gifted the wealth of the Egyptians. Let’s follow the example of the Apostle Paul, whose ministry was dogged by difficulty, and live a lifestyle of thanks and praise to God, knowing that he is always working for our best interests.
Heavenly Father, thank you that in all things you work for the good of those who love you, who have been called according to your purpose. Amen.
Thursday October 16 - God can use your pain
“You have saved our lives,” they said. “...we will be in bondage to
Pharaoh.” Genesis 47:25
When I was a young boy, I had an unnerving experience when playing on some wire mesh covering a hole in a field. I’ve no idea why it was there but it made for a great trampoline. Until, that is, the mesh gave way, and little Andy fell through the gap! I quickly grabbed hold of some grass tufts at the edge of the hole while my big brother rushed over to haul me out.
The story of Joseph in Egypt has the theme of rescue at its core. Firstly, Jacob and his family being saved from starvation back in their homeland. And then the Egyptians, who could have suffered a similar fate had it not been for God’s hand upon Joseph. Without his heaven-inspired wisdom they would have had to endure seven years of famine without access to the grain storehouses which Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare.
It’s incredible to think that Joseph, having endured the pain of being sold into slavery by his brothers and then the ignominy of being wrongfully imprisoned, was later used by God to bless a nation to which he owed nothing. This is a powerful reminder that, despite the sometimes difficult circumstances life throws at us, when we seek God above all things and partner with him in faithful obedience we can be a blessing to those around us who don’t yet know of God’s goodness.
Heavenly Father, please help me to see that, with your intervention, my pain can be another’s gain. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
42
PRAYER FOR TODAY