I was working on my homework for my women’s Bible study this morning and I was all over the book of Genesis. God keeps bringing me back here through various avenues. He seems to be driving home a couple of key messages this week.
Here’s one:
As I read the culmination of Joseph’s story I was really inspired by his grace for his brothers and the comfort he took in God’s sovereignty. Not to mention the beginning of his story where he was a pretty big schmuck. We have his story to look back on and remind ourselves that through all of life’s circumstances, God is working. When nothing makes sense or in our humanness, we can’t understand the "why", God IS working.
We have to remember His past faithfulness, trust that His ways are higher, and wait with hope. I really believe that to be the path to peace in this life… (Read Isaiah 55 for further comfort.) I’m in such a place of waiting and trusting as I put myself out there with Collected. I've asked two other women to jump into the unknown with me and the enemy wants me to doubt and feel pressured to strive instead of peacefully remembering God’s faithfulness and promises while I trust and wait… but, as Heather Land says, “I ain’t doin’ it.” Haha!
I love that God encouraged my resolve in a moment of doubt this morning with a little note-to-self from four years ago. A Facebook memory from 2013 said, "He was faithful yesterday. Why would I not expect the same today and every day? #remember #trust #wait"
BTW, I’m not going to give you a synopsis of Joseph’s story because it builds from the very beginning with Adam and Eve. I’d love it if you’d go and read it for yourself. The entire book of Genesis is a real page-turner portion of the Bible, so you won’t regret it. Also, in case you’re wondering, I’m working through Angie Smith’s survey of the Bible called Seamless. HIGHLY Recommend!
God’s word is such a source of reassurance and comfort. If you are anxious, worried, confused or discouraged— OPEN YOUR BIBLE and pray for God to speak to you. I promise you, He will do it.
What's God showing you this week? What are you studying? Email me at hello@tiamcnelly.com or start a conversation in the comments. I'd love to hear from you!
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