Raintree Community Church

This Sunday we will gather to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and look intently into His Word together! In Genesis 42, we return to the land of Canaan where Jacob and his sons are suffering under the severe famine conditions that are plaguing the known world. Jacob sees this famine as a matter of life and death, and sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain. The brothers unknowingly appear before Joseph, who recognizes them but conceals his identity. Joseph tests them by accusing them of being spies, imprisoning them briefly, and requiring them to return with Benjamin while keeping Simeon in custody. The brothers begin to acknowledge their guilt for selling Joseph, and Joseph is deeply moved by their response. He secretly returns their money and sends them home with grain. When Jacob learns what has happened, he grieves and concludes, "All these things are against me," not realizing that God is using these very events to preserve his family and fulfill His covenant promises. Like Jacob and his sons, we can often misinterpet God's providence in the trial of affliction. We often misunderstand God's providence as evidence of His opposition, when they are actually the means by which He accomplishes His gracious purposes. When God's providence doesn't make sense to us, we need to come back to what we know about God and trust Him to be completely good and completely sovereign through all circumstances of life.

As you look forward to worshipping with the body of Christ on Sunday, take time to read the Scriptures intentionally ahead of time. Ask God to prepare your heart to receive His Word as well as give you the grace to walk in obedience to it as it is proclaimed.