January 30, 2024
Read Genesis 46-48, Psalm 30
When’s the last time you had a good cry? I’m not talking about a time when you were really upset and cleared out all your sinus cavities. I mean a good cry where something you experienced brought you tears of joy so much that you were teared up emotionally with good tears. That is a little bit of what we have here in Genesis 46-48. Jacob has long believed his son was gone for over 26 years and now all of a sudden, he finds out that Joseph is alive. He is not only alive but doing quite well in the land of Egypt. Genesis 46:29-30 says, “As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. 30 Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.’” What are some things in your life that you might have lost all hope for? What things maybe you are tempted to give up on? The reunion of Joseph with Jacob tells us to hold out hope yet.
In Psalm 30 we find a familiar verse with the same message. The subheading to this psalm says it was written for the dedication of the temple by David. In verse 5 David writes, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Other translations say that “His joy comes in the morning.” We may all experience difficult times and circumstances, we may face many things throughout our life, but for the Christian we can be assured that His joy will come in the morning. That Joy might be over several years like Jacob. It may even be something we have to wait until we enter heaven to experience but know that God’s joy will come to those who hope in him.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 