Trust In God

I was reading in my bible course booklet today and came across a part that told me to read in Genesis chapters 37-43.

The story was about Joseph, one of Jacob's sons. My bible course explained the story of Joseph like this:


Jacob had 12 sons. Joseph was his eleventh son, born to Jacob in his old age. Jacob loved Joseph more than all his children. This caused the older brothers to hate Joseph. 


Once, when the older brothers were far away tending sheep, Jacob sent Joseph to see how they were. When the brothers saw Joseph coming, they conspired to kill him. One brother, Judah (my bible says Reuben), did not want Joseph to be killed. He persuaded the others to sell him as a slave to a caravan of traders going to Egypt. The brothers told their father that wild beasts had killed him.


Through no fault of his own, Joseph ended up as a slave in the house of Potiphar, a wealthy Egyptian man. But God was with Joseph. 


Potiphar's wife was a wicked woman who tried to seduce Joseph. When he fled from her presence, she was furious. She lied to her husband and told him that Joseph had tried to force her to have sex with him. Through no fault of his own, Joseph was sent to prison and put in chains. But God was with him. 


Sometime later, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had a dream that troubled him. His wise men could not tell him the meaning of his dream. The chief butler told Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret his dream. Pharaoh immediately called for Joseph. 


God revealed the meaning of Pharaoh's dream to Joseph. He told Pharaoh that there would be seven years when the harvests of grain would be plentiful. Then there would be seven years of famine when they would have no crops. 


Joseph suggested to Pharaoh that he seek and find a wise man to put over the land of Egypt, to store the excess grain during the years of plenty, so that they would have food during the seven years of famine. Pharaoh chose Joseph to be that man. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled... I have set you over all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 41:40-41)


Later, during the years of famine, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for food. Joseph knew who they were, but they did not recognize him. God used Joseph to bring his brothers to confess and repent of their sin. 


Joseph freely forgave his brothers and he sent royal wagons to bring his father, Jacob, and all his household to Egypt. There they were royally cared for by Joseph. 


Joseph was like Jesus Christ; he was rejected by his brothers, but stayed true to God and was rewarded.

When Jacob died, Joseph's brothers were worried and feared that Joseph would punish them for all that they did to him, so they fell before him and begged for forgiveness.

What they didn't realize though was that Joseph already forgave them. His brothers didn't know Joseph's heart and didn't know his love for them. Because of it, Joseph wept and comforted them, and assured them that he would continue to take care of them.

How amazing is that? Joseph's brothers went against him and sold him into slavery, and he still forgave them and took care of them.

Why are we so scared of God's love? Joseph's brothers feared Joseph, just like we fear God sometimes.

There's no need to fear anymore. We have a God that loves us no matter what, even when we mess up. We need to trust in God more when we do mess up that He will comfort us and forgive us. We should not be afraid of his love anymore.


Heavenly Father,
Please forgive us for not knowing your love the way you want us to. Well, we know you forgive us, so we should actually thank you for your forgiveness and comfort you provide for us. Lord, we fall behind and we mess up sometimes; you know that. We ask that you continue to guide us towards the right directions that you want us to be going. The narrow path to Heaven is a tough road to walk on, but we know during our journey it'll lead us towards you and the kingdom you have prepared for us. And when we trip and fall, we know you will heal us and keep us going. Thank you for Joseph and teaching us of your love and trust.
Amen.