Good day Ladies & Gents,
I believe that the current challenge we are up against is a completely new experience for many. Most individuals have not seen anything like this within their lifetime. During this pandemic I’ve observed sinful nature being fully expressed on a larger scale. People are being extremely selfish forgetting others whilst they stockpile, corner shops and market stalls are unjustly rising their prices. And shockingly NHS workers are being held at knife point for their ID badges! Why you may ask? Because people are after NHS discounts (these acts of violence are simply unlawful and barbaric). But I’ve also noticed some positivity on social media, the love and support being shared across country borders is simply phenomenal. None the less I’d like to remind us of God’s promise to His children…He will never abandon us! Today’s post has been inspired by Genesis chapter 42, it is my hope that you can grow, learn, and be encouraged from reading!
During times of trouble it can be extremely difficult to see how God is working things out for good, or if He’s even working at all (Remember our God doesn’t sleep or slumber people). Facing trials can easily get us down but we must not stay downcast, instead we must put our hope in God (Psalm 42:5)! Looking at the life of Jacob I’m sure he felt extremely disheartened when Joseph’s cloak was brought to him stained with blood. He thought he’d lost a son. But little did he know that God had preserved the life of Joseph and sent him ahead of his family in order to prepare the way for their salvation from starvation, Amen.
Genesis 42:21 ~ Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.”
We may see our troubling situations as setbacks, but to God our so called troubles are the stepping stones which elevate us to greatness! Joseph’s brothers thought this was the end for them and that punishment was awaiting them. But their breakthrough was around the corner!
Over the past few weeks the Holy Spirit has been reminding me that He (God) is KIND. Without realising, we can easily fall into the trap of thinking we can’t ask God for anything, or we don’t deserve to ask God for help because God’s already given us the greatest gift of all… Salvation. Whilst salvation is truly the greatest gift of all, God still desires to fill our lives with goodness (Psalm 81:10). Remember He is the good Father. God is not unjust or unkind.
Sometimes we may go through challenges without realising that God is working for our good, for our own benefit. All God does is good! We may even feel that everything is going against us, but we serve an Almighty Father who’s face of favour shines upon us! Let us learn to relax in God by learning to trust in Him always.
Genesis 42:28 ~ Look!” he exclaimed to his brothers. “My money has been returned; it’s here in my sack!” Then their hearts sank. Trembling, they said to each other, “What has God done to us?”
Joseph’s brothers didn’t realise that their destinies were about to change for the better after their encounter with Egypt’s 2nd in command, who happened to be their brother Joseph.
Genesis 42:36 ~ Jacob exclaimed, “You are robbing me of my children! Joseph is gone! Simeon is gone! And now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!”
Jacob thought that his life was finished, everything was going against him. But Joseph was sent ahead of his family by God to help preserve the nation of Israel and Egypt. So trust God even when it seems like the odds are stacked against you.
Finally brethren I’d like to point us back to Christ. Satan thought that he’d won when he saw Christ nailed to the cross, he really did! But little did he know that through Christ’s beatings we are made whole, through Christ’s wounds we receive healing and through Christ’s death and resurrection we find LIFE EVERLASTING (Isaiah 53:5)! I don’t know how you are managing during this trying time, but I hope you know the truth that God will NEVER ever abandon you! I hope you realise that you have access to an unending reservoir of love! I hope that you find strength when you look to God’s word and are encouraged by looking at the life of Jacob, Joseph & his brothers. Satan may have plans to cause havoc during this time but God’s truth will always prevail. It was only a few years back I stopped asking the question ‘why do bad things happen to good people’, and starting asking ‘what good can come out of this bad situation’. I urge you to do the same.
Here are some questions I believe we should all be asking ourselves…
1. What good can I achieve from working from home?
2. What good deeds can I do for others during this pandemic?
3. What good cause can I support during this time?
4. How can I do good for myself?
5. What good abilities can I develop from within me, which are waiting to be birthed?
I know this post leaves one with A LOT to ponder over, but I really want us collectively as a human race to think well and hard. Let us strive to be the solutions to the current problems which surround us. And trust me when I say this, it’s during such dire times that greatness is born and new ideas are created!
Genesis 50:20 ~ You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
^^Never get tired of this verse, it never gets old in my eyes 😂^^
Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Love you all
Stay safe and God bless
Christian lady after Gods own heart.
It’s definitely been frustrating. Yesterday I had to go to several different stores just to find toilet paper.