11 “Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food.
12 “But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time.
13 “On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh.
14 “Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all.
15 “And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died.
16 “From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.” Acts 7:9-16.
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“The righteous cry and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19.
We cannot determine or know how many trials we will face or how God will deliver us. Too often, I set my hope on having no more trials. Too often, I set my hope on receiving a check in the mail. Very often, God uses other and often humble and unexpected means to deliver me, time and time again. But, however He does it, God delivers me out of all my troubles.
As we read the Scripture for today, we see God rescuing Joseph from the pit and later from famine. We know from other Scripture that God later delivers the people of Israel from the afflictions of bondage to Egypt and also from other troubles.
Why should we withhold our thanks and praise to God when he delivers us from a particular trouble just because we may face future troubles? God will deliver us from those future troubles as well.
“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright.” Psalm 33:1
Praise makes us look attractive. Praise encourages others to have faith. Praise is due to God Who is entitled to our thanks and praise. “Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.” Answer to Question 1 of The Westminister Larger Catechism.
“1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night,
3 With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp,
With resounding music upon the lyre.
4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:1-4.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 