1 God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas,
3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 46 AMPC
God was about to prove once again to Jacob and his family that He was, ‘A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE‘. He had arranged for their well-being in a time of great famine.
21 They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.’ Genesis 42
We said yesterday that when things don’t go well we shouldn’t be quick to assume God is punishing us, Our God is Love and not a tyrant. Joseph wept when he heard how his brothers still blamed themselves for what they’d done to him so long ago. Joseph held Simeon in Egypt and sent the brothers on their way back home, along with the money they’d paid for the grain. Another perplexing situation they didn’t understand.
38 But Jacob said, ‘My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my grey head down to the grave in sorrow.’ Genesis 42
Jacob had been a strong willed man in his earlier life and he was afraid of losing Benjamin, Joseph’s full brother. Fear was keeping him and the whole family from entering God’s plan for them. Many times God has to bring us to a place where we have no alternatives but to go his way. I have certainly experienced this in my own life at times when all other doors were closed, except the one He had provided.
43 Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, ‘Go back and buy us a little more food.’ Genesis 43
Jacob had to give in, no other choice but to allow Benjamin to accompany his brothers down to Egypt. Unknown to them they were moving closer to God’s provision for the entire family. Sometimes we also may struggle against God’s provision for our lives, because we fear to take the step that will release His blessing.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? Romans 8
Not always easy to remember in difficult circumstances but it’s true for the children of God.
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THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.