Jan 28 (Daily reading: Genesis 46-47) We are reading about Joseph. Today I refer to my book to talk about the attribute of patience that Joseph inherited from his grandfather, Isaac. In Genesis 26, we find my favorite story about Isaac. During a time of famine, God told Isaac to stay in the land where he was and promised that He would bless him. After a time, Isaac had to leave because those around him were afraid he was becoming too powerful. Isaac moved on and settled somewhere else. He dug a well there, but the people of that place claimed it was their well, so he dug another well. The same thing happened, so he dug a third well. “He named it Rehoboth, for he said, ‘At last the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land” (Gen. 26:22). Isaac was patient and waited for God to act.
His grandson Joseph was an amazing example of being patient and waiting on God. From the time that he was sold into slavery until he became the overseer of all of Egypt, Joseph showed amazing patience. Joseph could bear with all his bad circumstances because he knew God was with him and would bless him. He never gave up because he had hope that God would work everything out. When we believe and trust God like Isaac and Joseph did, we can be patient and wait for God to reveal Himself and His plans to us. (Adapted from page 67, “We Love Because God First Loved Us”).
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2, NIV).
-Al Gary
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