Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 48:8-11.
“When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” So he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.” Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.” Genesis 48:8-11.
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It is certainly good to be joyfully surprised for ourselves within our heart when we recognize some lovingkindness and faithfulness of God about something we did not expect. Israel never expected to see again the face of his son Joseph. Scripture tells us how much grief Israel had when he thought Joseph was killed by a wild animal. See Genesis 37:31-35. And, we can imagine how much more he grieved about it over all the years until his other sons told him much later that Joseph was alive. Even then, his emotions were reserved. “Then Israel said, “It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Genesis 45:28.
But, how much better it is to testify to others about the lovingkindness and faithfulness of God which Israel did when he testified to Joseph in today’s Scripture: “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.” Verse 11.
Let us be more than just thankful. Let us proclaim to others the lovingkindness and faithfulness of God.
“I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.” Psalm 89:1.
“9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O LORD, You know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:9-10.
But, let us not just be general in our proclamation. Let us be specific and tell others what great things God has done for us.
“But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He (Jesus) sent him away, saying, “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38-39.
Finally, let us take it one final step further. The old have many more years of life and a wider range of experiences than the young. Moreover, the old struggle more with health issues as we see Israel had in today’s Scripture. Thus, in spite of everything, if the old can and do still testify as to the lovingkindness and faithfulness of God, their testimony carries more weight and is more believable than the testimony of some young person without such years of experience, without such range of experiences, and without current struggles accompanying old age.
“25 I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
26 All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.” Psalm 37:25-26.
“12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Planted in the house of the LORD,
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 