Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

28 January 2024

Reading From Genesis 46-47

“So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, ‘Jacob! Jacob!’

‘Here I am,’ he replied.

‘I am God, the God of your father,’ he said. ‘Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.’

Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel’s sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him. So Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt, taking with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan. Jacob brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters—all his offspring.”

–Genesis 46:1-7

     Canaan was the Promised Land.  God called Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants to live there.[1]  It seems strange that during the famine Elohim would speak to Jacob telling him that He would make him into a great nation in Egypt.  On today’s roads, the shortest route from Jerusalem to Cairo is 335 miles.  But that is how life with God is, isn’t it?  Sometimes we have to take a detour to reach our destination.  We don’t always travel how the crow flies.

     I need to trust in the God who has given the promise and leave the plan to Him.  As much as I would like to, I do not need to know every detail of how the Lord will fulfill His plans for my life.[2]  Part of the adventure, and let’s be honest the stress, is in not knowing.  It would not require any trust if I knew how everything is going to come together.[3]  It ought to be enough to know that He will bring it all together.  There are times when the future seems uncertain, and worry drags my mind into a ditch of anxiety, disillusionment and despair.[4]  It is in those moments that I need to be reminded that the promises of God are backed up by the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and His Word will never fail.[5]  If I choose to trust Him, everything will eventually fall into place.  Sometimes that process is longer than I would have wanted, but His plan is always better in the end.[6] 

“God, help me to let go of my worry and trust You with my future.  You have blessed me and all of Your children with many great and precious promises.  Thank You that You will complete the good work that You started in us.  I praise You for seeing me through the hard times and may I always be grateful no matter what happens.  Give me the strength to worship You, both in plentiful seasons and lean ones too.  Your Word never fails and my destiny is secure in You and You alone.  Amen.”

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:7-9

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

Jeremiah 29:11-12

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[1] Genesis 12:1, Genesis 26:3, Genesis 33:18

[2] Psalm 139:6, Isaiah 55:8-9

[3] Ecclesiastes 3:11, Romans 8:28

[4] Matthew 6:34

[5] Luke 1:37

[6] Romans 12:12