Genesis 46
Imagine being very, very old (130) and packing up everything you own to move a great distance in the hope that the son you thought had died was still alive. Trusting your sons' crazy story, but still wondering, could this really be true? Along the way, Israel worships God at the same place both his father and grandfather has worshipped. God confirms His promise to make his descendants a great nation and reassures him that he will see his son Joseph. The rest of the chapter lists the children and grandchildren that Israel brought with him to Egypt.
God's promises are sure. But his timetable is often very different than ours. We live in a fast food world and want everything our way right now. But God's purposes are eternal. He isn't limited by time and doesn't feel pressured to keep our schedule.
In traveling to other countries, it's often an adjustment to realize that they don't have the same concept of timeliness that we have in our rush-rush-rush society. In America, ten minutes early is on time, on-time is late, and late is completely unacceptable. I finally stopped wearing a watch a few years ago because I found I was constantly looking at it, stressing over whether I was running late, driving my family nuts (only to arrive 15-30 minutes early). It was essentially an idol. Without a watch, I've found that I can still easily find the time if needed. It’s on my phone, on my car dash, on the sign at the bank, on the wall at work.
The point is — God is more concerned with the work He is doing in us than with completing that work on our timetable.
What does this passage tell me about people? Just like Israel, we need reassurance. We need to worship God when we’re doubting or fearful and trust Him that despite the circumstances, He is accomplishing all that He has promised. This week I will trust Him, even as I continue to work as diligently as I can in all the areas He's called me to serve. I need to trust that it is not about me, and that He will bring about the results He desires in His time — not mine.
Imagine being very, very old (130) and packing up everything you own to move a great distance in the hope that the son you thought had died was still alive. Trusting your sons' crazy story, but still wondering, could this really be true? Along the way, Israel worships God at the same place both his father and grandfather has worshipped. God confirms His promise to make his descendants a great nation and reassures him that he will see his son Joseph. The rest of the chapter lists the children and grandchildren that Israel brought with him to Egypt.
God's promises are sure. But his timetable is often very different than ours. We live in a fast food world and want everything our way right now. But God's purposes are eternal. He isn't limited by time and doesn't feel pressured to keep our schedule.
In traveling to other countries, it's often an adjustment to realize that they don't have the same concept of timeliness that we have in our rush-rush-rush society. In America, ten minutes early is on time, on-time is late, and late is completely unacceptable. I finally stopped wearing a watch a few years ago because I found I was constantly looking at it, stressing over whether I was running late, driving my family nuts (only to arrive 15-30 minutes early). It was essentially an idol. Without a watch, I've found that I can still easily find the time if needed. It’s on my phone, on my car dash, on the sign at the bank, on the wall at work.
The point is — God is more concerned with the work He is doing in us than with completing that work on our timetable.
What does this passage tell me about people? Just like Israel, we need reassurance. We need to worship God when we’re doubting or fearful and trust Him that despite the circumstances, He is accomplishing all that He has promised. This week I will trust Him, even as I continue to work as diligently as I can in all the areas He's called me to serve. I need to trust that it is not about me, and that He will bring about the results He desires in His time — not mine.
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