Lent Week 3—Tuesday
Genesis 45: 1-15, Psalm 78: 1-39, 1 Corinthians 7: 32-40 Mark 6:1-13
Today’s readings remind us that God has a plan, and we are all part of it. How hard it is for us to remember this in our day-to-day planning and in the activities of our lives. In Genesis 45 and in Psalms 78 examples of God’s plans show us that by keeping our focus on God his plan for us will manifest itself to us. Our faithfulness to God will help us be calm in the face of the storms that will come our way. Staying in tune with God all the time and asking for help brings us back to him. Finding the patience that I need is a familiar dilemma that I find myself going through. When I have a plan for what I want to happen and then it doesn’t go my way, I must sit back and in prayer say “God, what is your plan?”
In Genesis 45, we are witnesses to Joseph’s joyful reunion with his brothers. Years
after being sold by his brothers, Joseph has realized that he is part of God’s greater
plan to save his family from the famine that will grip Egypt for five years. In verse five Joseph says to his brothers “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life”. And in verse 8, Joseph says to his brothers at this reunion “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God”.
Psalm 78 lists the numerous ways in which the Lord provided for the Israelites, even as they turned their backs on him. Verse 10 says: “they kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law”. But over and over God took care of them; he divided the sea, he provided water in the wilderness, he gave them manna and meat. And God did not destroy them but forgave their iniquity. The psalmist encourages the people to make known to their children the works of God and in verse 7 says “that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments”. So let us be examples to our children by letting them know and reminding them and ourselves of the goodness of God. God has a plan for our lives and by staying in communion with him we can live with less stress. We will be fulfilled and live our lives knowing that we have a purpose.
-Judy Storer
The Carpenter's Nail 