-Twelve- Delivered By Grace

Delivered by Grace

Today’s Reading: Genesis 37

Focal Verse: Genesis 37:24-25

Then they took him and cast him into the pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat a meal. They they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt.

Joseph’s early life seems a story of pitfalls and tragedy. Because of the favoritism show by his father, his brothers hated him. He just made matters worse by bragging about the dreams he had where he was ruling over them.

The day comes when the brothers plot his murder. First they throw him into a pit. The Bible tells us there was no water in it. Obviously, that was not always the case, so the lack of water in the pit was God’s first grace to Joseph. Then God sends a caravan by, just at the right time. Greed takes precedence over the brother’s murderous lust, and they sell him into slavery instead.

Slavery may not sound like deliverance, but in Joseph’s case it was. Joseph had found favor in God’s eyes. God would not allow him to be killed, but He did allow him into slavery so that in future times, Joseph could receive more grace and a whole land would receive it because of him.

Joseph was young. There are not any stories of great heroism on his part. There is nothing written to suggest that he was “super-spiritual”. God could have used anyone to so what He was about to accomplish, but He chose Joseph and, in His grace, He lifted Joseph out of the pit of death.

If you are a child of God, do not fear your enemies. The same God that lifted Joseph out of the pit is watching over you today. Take your concerns and your thanksgiving to Him.