WEDNESDAY March 1, 2023

God’s Providence

“Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh.”
Acts 7:11-13

God is so amazing! In His providence, Joseph, despite his brothers’ attempt to be rid of him, was placed in the right place at the right time. Joseph was a powerful figure in Egypt, a ruler of all the land, before the famine began––a famine that would last seven years. God was going to use Joseph, despite his brothers’ attempts to rid themselves of him, to save all the lives of his entire family.

At this time, the land had endured two years of famine, and Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for grain. They did not recognized him. Joseph could have had his brothers killed for their cruelty, but he made the choice to forgive them. When Joseph broke down and wept before them, they finally recognized him and were afraid. They knew what they had done to their younger brother (Genesis 45).

Joseph comforted and reassured them. No harm would come to them. In his heart, Joseph knew God had sent him before them so they would not starve. He recognized God’s providence in his life and said to them:

“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:5-7).

This is a beautiful story. God gave Joseph insight into His providence and helped him to forgive his brothers. Do you recognize God’s providence working in your life? May the Lord give you a heart of forgiveness for anyone in your family whose actions have purposely hurt you.

The Providence of God is the great protector of our life and usefulness, and under the divine care we are perfectly safe from danger.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!