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Hebrews 11:22
Joseph spent most of his life in Egypt rising to be second in power to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:39-45). When the seven years of famine struck the land (Genesis 41), Jacob, the father of Joseph, was forced to seek refuge in the land of Egypt to ensure his family’s survival. Joseph, being second in command, welcomed his father’s family into the land of Egypt and with Pharaoh’s blessing gave them the land of Goshen. The famine grew great, and by the seventh year all the people of the land had given all they had for food and were left with nothing but themselves to offer in service to Pharaoh for their survival, thus becoming slaves to Egypt. Over the years, a new Pharaoh took command of Egypt and he did not recognize Joseph or his family as being a worthy people, but viewed them as a threat to Egypt as they grew in number. This new Pharaoh began to treat the family of Joseph as slaves and continually increased the work in which he placed upon them until the time of the exodus. But all this was done to ensure the survival of the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Before Joseph died, he gave instructions to his family concerning the promise God made to Abraham of a new land, and that when he should die, his bones should be taken with them to the promised land (Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 13:19).
This is an example that God’s plan for us goes many years into the future and is focused on things in which we may not be aware.
Faith is trusting God to care for us today, tomorrow, and throughout every day of our lives to come. Sometimes we do not know why God allows particular things to happen in our lives, but later on we can look back and see how important they were in getting us to where we are today. What we may be going through today may be something that God is using to lead us to where He would have us in the future, but we have to trust in Him to get us there and follow where He is leading us and seek His will for our lives daily. This is the continual process of growing in our relationship with God through our faith in Him.
Dear LORD,
The story of Joseph’s life shows us how Your plan for those who will put their faith in You is not just for today, but for the entire plan of our lives which reaches many years into the future and into heaven for eternity. Please help us to put and keep our faith in You through salvation in Your one and only Son Jesus whom You sent to save the world from sin. In Jesus name I pray, amen.