January 29, 2024
Read Genesis 43-45, Psalm 29
When’s the last time you thought that someone wanted to attack you, make you their slave and take your donkeys? Okay, okay, I know probably never. But it is possible if you had some donkeys. As you read Genesis 43-45 you will read about Joseph who has some fun with his brothers and his brother’s guilt comes back to haunt them. In chapter 43 Joseph’s brothers all return to Egypt for more food, this time they bring little brother Benjamin with them. Joseph continues to mess with them, and who would blame him after what they did to him. It’s been 26 years since they sold him into slavery and Joseph had endured so much. Joseph invites them over to his personal home for a dinner and while they are awaiting to eat his brothers are scared and feeling conviction for their actions so long ago. As a pastor I have personally witnessed many people who come to me worried that another Christian is upset with them because something that happened or because of something that was said. As I dig a little deeper I usually discover the reason. They have done or said something about the person to someone else and then they think that people talk. A guilty conscience brings up the need to reconcile with the person after a while. To their surprise, the other person did not know what was said or done and they were led to think so by their own conviction. Is there anything that you need to clear off your chest? Do you need to go to someone and have a humble conversation with them? You will sleep better knowing that you are at peace with both God and them.
Psalm 29 is a beautiful psalm of David. Repeated several times in the psalm is the phrase “The voice of the Lord.” David describes the voice of the Lord as powerful, sovereign, and quick. We need to recall the creation narrative in Genesis 1. It is here we see God creating the universe by his command. The words, “And God said, ‘Let there be…’” v. 3, 6, 9, etc. Without lifting a finger (only to create humanity) God brings into existence everything but his own voice. We should remember that the next time we are tempted to lose faith in the Lord or to give up. God has more power in his voice than all of humanity does combined.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, and themes stand out to you? What things are you tempted to lose faith in the Lord with? Is there anything you need to go make right with another person?
Add your thoughts and comments below.
DId God Really Say... 