There are moments in life when things just seem to go right - not just right, but better than we would have expected - and sometimes a lot better. It's almost as if the planets have aligned. Yet what is amazing is that often in these moments we do not rejoice in our awesome God of grace, and the blessings we have received, but rather we forget the source…and maybe even consider it luck.
It is not difficult to remember God when things are hard, but it is when things are good. Somehow when we are content, or even being truly blessed from above, we seem to forget God. Maybe the unexpected windfall comes our way. Maybe it's a job promotion we never applied for. Maybe it's good news we never expected. Maybe it's simply a motivating affirmation that was unexpected. Whatever the situation, do we stop and rejoice in the source of this gift or do we simply wallow in the joy of receiving it?
How would you feel if as you were marvelling about your good gift, and a stranger, a non-believer, said to you that it was from God? I think I would be a little chagrined for not having realized this myself. But this is exactly what happens in this story in Genesis.
It is not difficult to remember God when things are hard, but it is when things are good. Somehow when we are content, or even being truly blessed from above, we seem to forget God. Maybe the unexpected windfall comes our way. Maybe it's a job promotion we never applied for. Maybe it's good news we never expected. Maybe it's simply a motivating affirmation that was unexpected. Whatever the situation, do we stop and rejoice in the source of this gift or do we simply wallow in the joy of receiving it?
How would you feel if as you were marvelling about your good gift, and a stranger, a non-believer, said to you that it was from God? I think I would be a little chagrined for not having realized this myself. But this is exactly what happens in this story in Genesis.
“It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks." (Genesis 43:23)
The brothers of Joseph on their return to Egypt are concerned about the money that was returned into their sacks. And on enquiring the Egyptian official says - "Your God...has given you treasure in your sacks."
How amazing is that!
When we look into the sacks of our lives what do we see? Sometimes the sack is empty and then we undoubtedly pray to God to fill it. We pray for his help, his abundance, knowing Jesus says he will...
How amazing is that!
When we look into the sacks of our lives what do we see? Sometimes the sack is empty and then we undoubtedly pray to God to fill it. We pray for his help, his abundance, knowing Jesus says he will...
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)
And then when we look again, amazingly there is not only a sack filled to the brim, there is silver in our sack. Blessings we did not even ask for. Blessings we never expected. There is unexpected treasure in the sacks of our lives. BUT, what do we then do?
Do we fall before our God and give Him thanks for his awesome dealings with us - blessing us with more than we would expect, or do we forget that author of all good gifts, keeping our communication with him to petitions rather than praise, to asking rather than adoration.
May it be then that we give God thanks, for without doubt, he will, and does give us treasure in our sacks. Look into the sack of your life again, look carefully and see the silver that God has placed there, that all too often we forget to acknowledge, or worse - fail to even see!
Do we fall before our God and give Him thanks for his awesome dealings with us - blessing us with more than we would expect, or do we forget that author of all good gifts, keeping our communication with him to petitions rather than praise, to asking rather than adoration.
May it be then that we give God thanks, for without doubt, he will, and does give us treasure in our sacks. Look into the sack of your life again, look carefully and see the silver that God has placed there, that all too often we forget to acknowledge, or worse - fail to even see!
"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." (Psalm 107:8-9)
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Thanks...Malo.
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