Joseph Makes Himself Known

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Give thanks to God for all that He gives. And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

 Genesis 45:1-11

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Colorful, Memorable, Remnants

by Judy Webb

If you like happy endings, today's reading will be to your liking. Let’s start with Genesis 45:4-5 (NIV)

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Look back at those times in your life when your cried out in desperation from a heart that was breaking and you saw God in action. What a blessing! Joseph must have cried out many times during the early years of his captivity, only to realize his God had a plan all along.

As family reunions go, this was a great one. It contained all the drama, tears, and regrets you would expect when family, who have been separated for years - no matter the reason - are reunited. God uses all of our sins, our pain, our bad judgments, and wasteful ways, for His glory.

God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So, you see, it wasn’t you who sent me here but God. Genesis 45:7-8a (NIV)

The remnant spoken of inverse 7 are those who still believe but live in a world that is falling to Satan’s wiles. God can and does work through the remnants to rebuild kingdoms. The word remnant brings to mind a couple of things worth noting. 

Quilt makers use remnants all the time. These colorful pieces usually have sentimental value, and boast colors that brighten every room. There is a memory in every leftover scrap of fabric used to create a masterpiece. Chances are your grandmother or someone very special created such a work of art for you.

I wonder if Joseph’s famous coat of many colors wasn’t fashioned from the bright garments of his ancestors. Is that maybe a reason for all the fuss in the first place...not so much that it was beautiful and colorful, but dearly treasured?

There will always be a remnant, colorful, memorable, and usable. No matter what man does, our God reigns.