God, My Help Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
BRD REFLECTIONS
Genesis 37 and Psalm 34 (NIV)
(Cassandra Leung, PTM Children’s Ministry)
READ:
Genesis 37 & Psalm 34:17-22 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The story of Joseph begins with:
V3 – “.. Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons ..”
V4 – “.. they (his brothers) hated him ..”
V5 to 11 – Joseph had 2 dreams and “.. his father rebuked him (Joseph) ..” and “His brothers were jealous of him ..”
V12 to 24 – Jacob sent Joseph near Shechem to look in on his brothers’ wellness but “.. they plotted to kill him.” And “.. threw him into the cistern. ..”
V25 to 30 – The brothers changed their minds and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels. They took him to Egypt.
V36 – Joseph was, in turn, sold to Potiphar in Egypt.
I cannot imagine how Joseph felt going through these events. He was hated by his brothers. He was outnumbered and unable to defend himself. He was sold like cattle and brought to a foreign land. In his helplessness, he must have cried to the Lord, his sole help.
I observed that even when God offers no immediate escape from trouble I can be certain that He hears and will act on behalf of those who love Him.
In Psalm 34, God promises to be close to the broken-hearted and be a source of power, strength, courage and wisdom. When trouble strikes, when I am in pain, or worn down by daily frustrations, I shall not get frustrated with God but admit I need His help.
APPLY:
I am reminded to be still and know that He is God. He is my ever-present help. Through Joseph and David, I learn how suffering and setbacks, no matter how unfair and trying, can be used by God to develop me. There is something positive I can learn from these situations.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
DO:
DO
I shall trust in God with all my heart, my mind, and my soul. I shall try to live this out and know that God is my ever-present help.
PRAY:
Dear Father God, teach me to always look to you first in my trials. Teach me patience and strength to wait on you. Teach me to trust in you. You are my ever-present help and I thank you for walking with me and seeing me through. I pray in your Son’s wonderful Name, Amen.
