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Genesis 42

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Thursday 27th October 2016

Today’s exhortation – it’s just a season.

It can be so easy to forget all the good things God has done for us when we’re going through a difficult time. In previous chapters of Genesis, we are told how God blessed Jacob and he became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭30:43‬). But when Joseph’s brothers brought back news that Simeon had been detained in Egypt and the ruler wanted to see Benjamin, the bible says, “And Jacob their father said to them, “…All these things are against me.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭42:36‬).

What we see is Jacob going through a trial like his sons. But, if Jacob only knew. If he could only trust the hand of God which he could not see! The same hand that had blessed him exceedingly, perhaps he wouldn’t have despaired. And if we only we too know that our difficult times are not permanent, that the unemployment, broken home, illness, debt and so on are only for a season, we too won’t despair. Don’t give up praying and leaning on the everlasting arm of God brothers and sisters, “His favour is for life! Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”‭‭ (Psalms‬ ‭30:5‬). Amen

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Wednesday 26th October 2016

Today’s exhortation – enjoy each moment

I believe sometimes we worry so much or are so riddled with guilt and anxiety that we fail to see God’s grace and what He’s doing in our lives. If there’s anything we can take from Joseph’s story, it is that we must enjoy each moment as it comes because God has a divine plan for our lives and will work out everything together for our good. The worry, fear, guilt, anxiety etc rob us of today’s blessings and joy. For instance, Joseph gave his brothers money back to them and gave them extra food, but their fear and guilt robbed them of enjoying this wonderful gift. The bible says when they found the money in their bags, Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”” ‭(Genesis‬ ‭42:28‬).

That’s us sometimes, we’re so afraid of what someone said or did that we miss out on the wonderful gifts of God. Let’s enjoy each moment as it comes because many would love to see today but don’t have this gift. As David said, “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me.” ‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭138:8‬). He’s the same God and will do the same for us. He will perfect that which concerns us. He Himself tells us expressly, “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.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬). Let’s relax, slow down and our weekend, God’s in control. Amen

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Thursday 20th October 2016

Today’s exhortation – freedom from guilt

I believe God loves us too much to let us carry on living in guilt and so He may allow misfortune to come our way if that’s what it takes to bring us to repentance. This is evident in how He dealt with Joseph’s brothers. It took extreme hunger to get them to Egypt where they will not only receive food, but will be brought to repentance and receive forgiveness. The following verses indicate they were avoiding Egypt because of guilt. The bible says, “When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”” ‭(‭Genesis‬ ‭42:1-2‬).

They were looking at one another because no one wanted to bring up the subject of Egypt where they had buried their guilt, Joseph! We too quite often try to bury our guilt and try to forget. As previously mentioned, Joseph is a type of Christ and so the brothers going to Joseph is similar to us going to The Lord Jesus. He’s the bread we need to live and the One who forgives us. He’s also the One who bore our shame and guilt on the cross at Calvary. He desires that we don’t carry on living in guilt to our past, sins, failures, shame and abuse. Amen

Francis Hans-Jorie

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Wednesday 19th October 2016

Today’s exhortation – wait patiently

I want to encourage anyone waiting on The Lord to do just that, wait on The Lord. God is very much aware of our deadlines and needs and will always be on time. Twenty-two years after Joseph’s dreams of his brothers bowing down to him, it happened. The bible says “Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.” (Genesis‬ ‭42:6‬). After all these years, Joseph’s dream came true and he didn’t have a hand to play in it. All he did was to be faithful to God. Even he forgot the dream, but God didn’t. The bible says, ‘Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them’ (Genesis‬ ‭42:8-9‬).

I’m certain that all the time Joseph was in prison, the devil went to him and provoked him saying, “look, you are all alone and God has forgotten you. Did he not say He will make you a ruler over your brothers? Look at you now!” Twenty-two years later God brought it to pass. We may even forget what we prayed for or what God promised us, but He never forgets. If it’s healing, a job, partner etc you are waiting for, wait on The Lord! I believe if He said He will do something for us, He’s already done it. We just have to remember, we walk by faith and not by sight. Amen!

Francis Hans-Jorie