The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: but his bow abode in strength. Genesis 49:23, 24.
The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ. It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave; they hoped to prevent him from becoming greater than themselves. And when he was carried to Egypt, they flattered themselves that they were to be no more troubled with his dreams, that they had removed all possibility of their fulfillment. But their own course was overruled by God to bring about the very event that they designed to hinder. So the Jewish priests and elders were jealous of Christ, fearing that He would attract the attention of the people from them. They put Him to death, to prevent Him from becoming king, but they were thus bringing about this very result.
Joseph, through his bondage in Egypt, became a savior to his father’s family; yet this fact did not lessen the guilt of his brothers. So the crucifixion of Christ by His enemies made Him the Redeemer of mankind, the Saviour of the fallen race, and Ruler over the whole world: but the crime of His murderers was just as heinous as though God’s providential hand had not controlled events for His own glory and the good of man.
As Joseph was sold to the heathen by his own brothers, so Christ was sold to His bitterest enemies by one of His disciples. Joseph was falsely accused and thrust into prison because of his virtue: so Christ was despised and rejected because His righteous, self-denying life was a rebuke to sin; and though guilty of no wrong, He was condemned upon the testimony of false witnesses. And Joseph’s patience and meekness under injustice and oppression, his ready forgiveness and noble benevolence toward his unnatural brothers, represent the Saviour’s uncomplaining endurance of the malice and abuse of wicked men, and His forgiveness, not only of His murderers, but of all who have come to Him confessing their sins and seeking a pardon.
He who receives Christ by living faith … has a living connection with God…. He carries with him the atmosphere of heaven, which is the grace of God, a treasure that the world cannot buy. He who is in living connection with God may be in humble stations, yet his moral worth is as precious as was that of Joseph.
Conflict and Courage p. 79
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Prayer Requests
—–update—Eileen’s appointment went well. The doctor wants one more MRI to make sure there is not another herniated disk somewhere else as well. Then she is looking at back surgery. Please continue to pray. Rose
—–update—Brian’s mom is doing much better and may be discharged from the hospital soon. The doctors found it was her thyroid that was keeping her heart racing. She did have a heart attack but now since she is being treated for the thyroid it is settling down. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray that she will cooperate with the nutritionist in regards her diabetes. Rose
—–update—Brian got home safely. Thank you for praying for him. Rose
—–pray for my daughter Atarah who is facing an health problem. Margaret
—–Follow up on my brother, Larry, who was diagnosed with cancer a few days ago. He came to _____ today and had four appointments today. Two for tests and two with Drs. He has a spot on a lung and a spot by his esophagus, They decided to do chemo and radiation. I pray that will take care of things. I request your continued prayers. Shirley
—–update—the doctor told us that he thinks the bug has run its course and that Hunter’s doing great! Now we just have to work on getting back his strength Still not certain when he gets to go home, but it shouldn’t be too long. Mandy
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, when Esther was doing Bible work, she and some friends had gone to a nearby state to do some shopping. While they were there, it started pouring down rain. Suddenly she remembered that she had left the sun roof open on her car. She prayed that it would not be raining at the church where it was parked.
As they neared home, the rain was even harder. One of her friends remarked that Esther was going to have two feet of water in her car. Everything inside would be ruined. Esther said that she was praying that it was not raining at the church.
When they were within a short distance, it was raining just as hard as it had been. Her friends were sure that a mess awaited at the car. Esther was still praying. As they pulled into the church’s parking lot, they were filled with praise to God. It was not raining on the church’s property, but it was still raining everywhere else! Esther jumped out of the car and closed her sun roof. Immediately the rain started pouring down, but it did not matter any more. The rain could not get into the car! This was a faith-building experience for them all!
God says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee” Jer 33:3 Jesus tells us, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matt 7:7,8
Think of it! The Great Creator of the Universe is willing to answer our prayer of faith!
But there are conditions that we must fulfill. Isaiah exclaims, “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa 59:1,2 James adds, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3
Jesus assures us, “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Luke 17:6 He says, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14 I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:9-13
James tells us, “let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:6,7 John explains, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14
May we come to God, knowing that He loves us with an “everlasting love.” Jer 31:3 May we fulfill the conditions to answered prayer, that God, Who longs to give us that which we ask, may work mightily for us. May we remember to praise God when He answers our petitions is my prayer.
Rose