“He (Joseph) replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.” Genesis 37:16-22
Have you ever faced a challenge that just seemed too huge and unfair? A few weeks ago I walked out of the hospital with an identification band on my wrist and a bandage around my elbow where they drew blood to determine if my foot was infected; I felt violated. I happened to see a member from my church outside the hospital, slowly walking to her ride using a cane and had just been subjected to tests far more challenging than mine; I began to pray for her. We all face challenges, some greater than others. It happens quite frequently in the Bible. We can take heart knowing that God cared for those saints just as He has promised to look after each of us.
I read the above verses in a devotion recently about Joseph. He certainly didn’t want to be killed and thrown into a well. This Saturday certainly is a good time to recall several lessons we can learn from Jacob's family and Joseph's adversity. Joseph and his father must have spent some long hours in prayer. I know that is what I would do, because that has brought me closer to Christ when challenges have darkened my pathway.
When we are facing nasty challenges on this side of Paradise, it is really important to find one reason for Hope. No action to find Hope is more powerful than prayer. Where else can we turn for hope? Prayer brings power to endure. Those who are older are a source of wisdom for young parents and for children and grandchildren. Single men and women also have much to offer, whether within their own extended families or within the family of the church. Broken, hollow lives can find new strength to recover through conversations with Christ.
I can only imagine that Joseph, without question, turned his situation over to God, even as the caravan made its way toward Egypt. Surely he knew, even at seventeen, that his only hope would come through God's faithful promise. Just as we have done when faced with challenges, Joseph must have cried out to the One who, alone, was in sovereign control of his future! And so must we!
The young Haitian boy in the attached photo was dropped off at a Pastor’s gate in St. Marc with all of his earthly possessions one hot afternoon. He was left alone, without a note…without Hope. He was too young to realize how big of a challenge he was facing. God had a plan for this child and he was taken in by Pastor Bruce and raised in a home by a family that helped him face new challenges along his journey. God has a plan for you as well.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay