Tag: bible devotion on burdens

Inspirational and encouraging picture about trusting God even when we can't see it based on Joseph's story of being sold into Egyptian slavery

“Your Behind-the-Scenes Success!”

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Genesis 37-41

Details. You either love them or hate them. When it comes to daily tasks, details can be a bit overwhelming when you are trying to figure out the minutest specifics of all that needs to be done.

Yet, when it comes to our future, especially regarding its outcome, details can be beneficial in planning and preparing. Our hopes are to receive a favorable ending to our story. And while details help us along toward specific goals in the natural world, when it comes to our spiritual walk, specific details of every move we make or every journey we walk through aren’t often given to us.

Take the story of Joseph, for instance. He was next to the next-to-youngest of twelve exceptional boys born to Jacob. Exceptional because they would become known later as the twelve tribes of Israel.

Being the firstborn of Rachel (the woman whom Jacob loved and willingly worked for to marry), Joseph received favors and preferential treatment from his father. If the evidence of his being treated favorably wasn’t there before, surely the multi-colored coat given to him signaled it loud and clear.

Joseph was not only unique in being Rachel’s firstborn and Daddy’s favorite. He was also blessed with a special gift revolving around dreams. Unfortunately for him, this gifting led to acquiring ire from his older brothers, who were more than likely already miffed at his exalted treatment.

This, in turn, provoked a plan of deception that would rid them of their problem with this bothersome brother. Deviating from killing him because their hatred so stirred them, they sold him into slavery.

There, his story pans out over several years of slavery, work, favor, and imprisonment. It seemed that when Joseph tried to do right, he was rewarded with lies, accusations, and being forgotten by those he helped. But while he was doing right and being a help to others, God was working behind the scenes to bring his story to a successful conclusion.

God was marching Joseph forward, unknown to himself, to the place of his maximum usefulness for that era. Whether it is readily apparent or not, God was with him even in a place where he may have felt alone, forgotten, and abandoned.

The details we see before us are obvious. They are obvious because they are visible. But like Joseph, our stories have more layers to them than just what the eye can see or human reasoning can understand.

In Genesis 39:2, we read, “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”

In Genesis 39:21, it tells us, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

And in the New Testament we are told, “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him” (Acts 7:9).

Joseph lived his life in an honorable manner. He did not have the benefit of Scripture that would let him know that everything was going to work out in his favor; that the LORD was with him in the unseen details.

But He was. And God is with us also. Numerous times Scripture reminds us of this beautiful fact:

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…” Isaiah 43:2

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God…” Isaiah 41:10

“… I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20

“… the upright shall dwell in thy presence.” Psalm 140:13

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16, and so many more.

In the extraordinary moves of life, we may readily point out, “God is with me!” But what His word assures us of is that in those moments where we cannot easily feel Him or understand the hardness of the situation we are dealing with, He is there.

Joseph’s story shares this truth with us, as well as Job’s, and many others who endured hardship, suffered trials, fought battles, and more.

But even when you can’t see how God is working things out behind the scenes, know that He is. What may not be apparent in details to others or even to you is clear before God, who knows the beginning from the end.

He has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Just keep living honorably and in faith. Grab hold of the truth of Scripture laden with the promise of His presence, and believe, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

In the end, Joseph, who was sold, accused, and forgotten, was elevated to the second-highest position in the land. I can’t promise your story will end with such exaltation. But what I can tell you is that no matter how your story unfolds, keep your faith in God, not in the details you can see, and know that in the end, God can make it work for good (Romans 8:28).

Your behind-the-scenes success is in God. Trust Him even when the details aren’t apparent.

More Inspiration:

“God is Working It Out!”

“Forget, and Be Fruitful!”

“You Don’t Need to Know Everything!”

“… Because of God”

“Dream Big!”

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, X, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

“God is in Control. It’s all about Him!”

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“Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I,” Isaiah 52:6, KJV

The taunting of the enemy was too much to bear at times.  Captivity kept them bound and ridicule and defeat kept them shackled in despair.  God’s people have suffered under bondage due to their own spiritual neglect, but God in His grace and mercy, showed them a compassionate heart and sought for their redemption.  He was going to bring them back.  All hope was not lost, He will redeem.

Reading this, I know there are times when we seemed locked in my life.  If things are going okay and we are dwelling in peace, well then, that’s okay, lock me in!  But when we feel overwhelmed by burdens and enemies, it’s hard to believe deliverance is on the horizon.

In Isaiah 52:6 God displayed His personal investment in His people’s redemption.  When He brought them out there was going to be no doubt in their mind that He is the one that fought for them, loved them, and redeemed them.

Doubt is the enemy of our faith.  We often try to walk by faith and not by sight but end up walking by sight and not by faith even though it is the very things we see that make us question.  How is this going to turn out?  Will I ever see the light of day?  Doubt is a killer of dreams.  Doubt already erases the possibility of something better because it doesn’t see it.  Doubt is a robber of paradise and a hinderer of what can be.

But God is looking to change the focus of His people from their circumstances to their God.  Four times He refers to Himself in this verse as the One who orchestrates and fulfills all for them.  “My people . . . My name . . . I am He . . . It is I,” and He wants His people to know it.

  • My people:  “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture,” (Ps. 100:3, KJV).  A shepherd’s job is to care for, lead and guide, and supply for the sheep.  Isn’t it wonderful that despite their disobedience God was not ready to relinquish ownership of His own?  Israel may have gotten themselves into captivity but they were still His people and because of that God was still willing to take a leading role in their care and in ours.  Being identified as God’s people is a special privilege but it only comes to those who are under a covenant with God.  Galatians 3:29 says, “And if ye be Christ’s, then ye are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise,” (KJV).  Abraham was under a covenant with God (Gen. 15:18-21).  Those that come under Christ now receive the same benefits as His “people,” (see also Rom. 8:17; 1 Cor. 3:23).  You are God’s people, therefore, He wants you to know that He wants to take care of you and love you as His own!
  • My name:  “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into, and is safe,” (Pr. 18:10, KJV).  There’s something about applying God’s name to deliverance.  When someone puts their name on something it signifies ownership.  People also sign their names to documents to state that they will perform a deed stated therein.  His people shall “know my name.”  His name will be glorified and remembered for their deliverance.  He signed it and He declared it!
  • I am He that doth speak:  God is the author of all.  In the beginning “I am He” spoke things into existence and it obeyed.  That which He called forth manifested itself into reality.  It went from a holy thought to a physical appearance because “I am He” spoke.  When God speaks people better pay attention.  Especially when He is speaking of your deliverance, as He was with His people.  “For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I speak shall come to pass …,” (Ezekiel 12:25, KJV).  His word is infallible and “I am He’s” word will be fulfilled in your life and you better know it!
  • It is I:  This takes me back to the time when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and commanded Moses to go to Egypt.  Moses asked, “What shall I say unto them?” (Ex. 3:13, KJV).  God’s response, “I AM THAT I AM . . . I AM hath sent me unto you,” (Ex. 3:14, KJV).  When one is waiting on deliverance they have to realize it’s all about God!  His mark of sovereignty is over His whole plan.  God referred to Himself as the total of all they needed to know!

Difficult times are never pleasant but when we know who it is that is on our side, we have nothing to fear in waiting for our deliverance.  “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31, KJV).  Isaiah 52:6 claims He is there with you; He’s the one fighting for you; He’s the one planning your deliverance; He’s the one speaking it over your life; He’s the one that owns all of this and will redeem His people out of it.  It’s all about Him!  In the midst of it all, He’s got you covered!  It’s all about Him, in the midst of it all, He will be glorified!  It’s all about Him and God is in control!

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

“When it’s too heavy to carry…”

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When it’s too heavy to carry on our own, we look to others for help.  Think about it, if we need to move heavy boxes, furniture, grocery bags, or what have you, we call out for help.  When we come across something physical that is just too much for us to lug from point A to point B, we seek assistance.

But, what about heaviness of the heart?  Often when we are facing emotional and inner turmoil of the spirit, we continue to try to press on our own, hesitant to ask for help or support.

Burdens, they’re so heavy.  Many times they can feel like a ton of bricks just sitting on you, slumping your posture and bogging down your heart.  With the brow creased in concern and eyes moist with hurt and confusion, it’s hard to raise one’s self to the position of being alightened in happiness and hope.

The thought hit me during one of my prayer times – I wonder if it’s harder, at times, because we look at what we can do to press out some joy in our own lives.  Our real joy comes from a natural flow due to our relationship with God.  Any ounce that we can squeeze out in our own time, strength, and power is just a temporary fix.  But, what we find in Christ is pure, real, genuine, and it lasts.  Oh, we will still experience moments and times of sadness from time to time.  But, what He offers us is filling, it’s encouraging, and it’s overflowing into all those cracks and crevices where our own abilities have fallen short of reach, if we will just seek Him for it.

Recently, I had an experience with an artificial or substitute sweetener that I didn’t care for.  I’m not knocking on no one else’s preference of what they put into their drinks and such, but for me, I didn’t like it one bit.  It took away from the pure taste of my coffee that I was accustomed to and it made it taste funny.  When we try to substitute or exchange what God can bring into our lives with our own attempts to patch the burdensome holes we feel with band-aid like plans and faith, it’s not as pure and strong as what He can do for us, and like any band-aid, it comes off easy showing itself weak in really being able to help us.

We need something more.  Rather than temporary relief, we need something or Somone stronger to help us carry the burdens that are weighing us down (remember the furniture above); to assist us in the troubling times we are facing.

We can find that help when we draw closer to God in our search for relief from the heaviness we carry.  One of the ways we can do that is to meditate on what He already speaks to us through the promises He has given us in His Word.

It is there, where His Spirit speaks through those words, to help remind us of the peace we can obtain when we give our worries over to Him.  “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:6-7).  And, the peace He gives is not like the world’s, therefore we can rest securely in it (John 14:27).

Those words tell us of the joy and love that is part of the package deal of being in this sweet and wonderful relationship with Him.  “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing,” (Zephaniah 3:17).

In those words, we find that we are not walking on this journey alone.  Our steps may be heavy at times, but even when we can’t physically feel it, His promise says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” (Hebrews 13:5).  No matter how fearsome, His Word speaks to our hearts, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you,” (Isaiah 43:2, NASB).

And, in the time of our sorrows, His promise declares, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds,” (Psalm 147:3).

Yes, it definitely can get heavy at times.  But, in those times, we remember, we don’t have to carry it alone.  For every burden and heavy load we are given this promise: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” (1 Peter 5:7).

He cares for you, are those last words.  Look to God, He is there for you.  When something is too heavy to carry, God invites us to come to Him to find the help we need.

This is my heart, Lord.  It has its failings at times.  It has its inadequacies, too.  But, it also has You.  And, where You are, O God, there is help, wholeness, completeness and healing.  Therefore, I pray, wherever there is brokenness, cover with Your salve of love.  Whenever there is confusion, whisper sweet words of peace to calm it.  And, in the times of heaviness, I pray that You would help me to carry that which is too much for me to bear on my own. AMEN!