Julie
Our discussion yesterday focused on the fact that we did not believe that Joseph was trying to be vindictive or deceitful and we were correct in that assessment. As he tells his brothers who he is, he does so with loving kindness and true happiness that he is with them again. I want to focus on one line specifically out of these two chapters. "...it was not you who sent me here, but God." Joseph places absolutely no blame on his brothers for what they did. This can be a hard thing for people wrap their head around. We want to blame someone for the bad things in our lives instead of trying to see how or why they might be happening. People also think that they are having to go through these things because they were not doing something right or not living in the way God had intended. However, I think that this line should help us all to remember that regardless of our situation, whether good or bad, or whatever adversity or goodness we might be experiencing that God is putting us there and for his own purposes and reasons. We do not always know why during the experience, but when we come out the other side it becomes apparent how he wants us to use that situation. Today's passage is such a great lesson in not blaming others for our situations in life, but trusting and knowing that God has places us here and has a plan for us.
Psalm 27 is another prayer of trust in God and his direction. Even through adversity or battling enemies they place their total faith in him and that he will help through whatever they are going through. This plays right into what we read today in Genesis, it's almost as if Joseph could have prayed this as he endured some of the things that he did.
Michelle
Wow, what a great observation. You are correct. More times than not, we are looking for someone to blame for whatever situation we are in, be it someone else or from decisions we have made. Most people though are looking for someone else to blame. What we fail to realize is that ultimately we are not in control. We have free will to make choices and those choices will lead us in various directions but in the end we are where we need to be when we need to be there. Sometimes we just make the road harder with our choices. I do wish I knew where I was being taken though, cuz I am constantly asking why I am where I am or asking why things are going the way they are. And God has yet to answer my questions. I am working on stopping with the why and just trusting and having faith.
The psalm does sound like a reminder that we should turn to God and trust in God thru whatever adversities and trials we are facing. Faith seems to be the recurring theme so far in all we are reading. There is a devotional attached to this one that points out the verse 14, wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. It also talks of David escaping the pressure of fear and warfare by retreating to God's holy presence. So in our time of difficulty we should be turning to God in whatever way that may need to be for us, scripture, song, prayer, whatever it is turn to him and be in his presence and that will help us get thru.
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