The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 22 July 2018 "Providence" by Gary Miller (California) Genesis 50:15-26

(Image: Pixabay)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 22 July 2018 "Providence" by Gary Miller (California) Genesis 50:15-26 Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20 (NIV))
The word providence speaks of God’s divine care and guidance in our lives. This was certainly true in the life of Joseph whose brothers sorely mistreated him. (See Gen. 37.) But as Joseph reflected on all of his experiences in life, he could clearly see God’s abiding care.
This sense of God’s purpose was never more evident for me than when I accepted a position that would take my wife and me 8,000 miles from our home, our children, and our grandchildren. It was a gut-wrenching decision. I prayed, fasted, and sought the wisdom of others; through it all I trusted God for guidance. Though challenging, it turned out to be a most rewarding decision.
The older I become, the more I am able to see God’s providence throughout my life. I often say, “God’s sovereignty is best seen in the rear-view mirror.” This does not cause me to be passive about life — just waiting for God to push me to the next event. Instead it creates in me a deep trust in my Creator who not only cares for me today but also directs my future, all for my good. (See Rom. 8:28.) I continue to learn about God’s providence daily. I hope that I am a good student.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant us your wisdom, strength, and courage as we seek your will and trust your guidance. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Genesis 50:15 Realizing that their father was dead, Yosef’s brothers said, “Yosef may hate us now and pay us back in full for all the suffering we caused him.” 16 So they sent a message to Yosef which said, “Your father gave this order before he died: 17 ‘Say to Yosef, “I beg you now, please forgive your brothers’ crime and wickedness in doing you harm.”’ So now, we beg of you, forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Yosef wept when they spoke to him; 18 and his brothers too came, prostrated themselves before him and said, “Here, we are your slaves.” 19 But Yosef said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good — so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being saved. (vii) 21 So don’t be afraid — I will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he comforted them, speaking kindly to them.
22 Yosef continued living in Egypt, he and his father’s household. Yosef lived 110 years. (Maftir) 23 Yosef lived to see Efrayim’s great-grandchildren, and the children of M’nasheh’s son Makhir were born on Yosef’s knees.
24 Yosef said to his brothers, “I am dying. But God will surely remember you and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya‘akov.” 25 Then Yosef took an oath from the sons of Isra’el: “God will surely remember you, and you are to carry my bones up from here.” 26 So Yosef died at the age of 110, and they embalmed him and put him in a coffin in Egypt. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In today’s challenge, I will strive to see God’s blessing for tomorrow.
PRAYER FOCUS: Someone moving to a new home
READ MORE: Link2Life - July 22
Link2Life - July 22
JULY 22, 2018 BY GARY MILLER (CALIFORNIA)
RELATED DEVOTIONALS: PROVIDENCE

From left: Todd Miller (son), Peter Kooistra (son-in-law), Shannon Miller Kooistra, Morgan Kooistra, Aaron Kooistra, Paula Miller, Gary

***