- Genesis 48 Daily DEVO And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.” Genesis 48:11 – God exceeds all our plans and expectations. Here Israel admits that his hope was lost at ever seeing Joseph again. He had settled in his heart that something as that would just be impossible. Yet as we read in this verse, we see that God isn’t limited to our expectations. So wherever you are at in your story realize God works in bigger ways than you can imagine. Things you though were impossible are readily available options for God to use. I mean if Jesus has the power to rise from the dead, I think He can do anything we need from Him. Remember, God’s not limited so dream bigger with Him. If God is leading you down a path, know He has all things available to Him to help you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 528
- Then Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your fathers.” Genesis 48:21 – You may be without someone this year, but God will be with you. This is my first time navigating a Christmas season as a foster/adoptive home. For those unaware, the holidays can be so difficult for these kids because they are grieving the loss of their birth families, the loss of how they dreamt life with their family could have been, and so much more. While that may not be your story, many of you are grieving the loss of someone this year. Maybe for the first time or maybe it’s been many years but the pain is still deep. That loss is real and the pain is deep, but God will be with you and will bring you back again to a place of joy and peace in Him. While we didn’t see it in this chapter, Jacob does die. The death that would cause so much grief happened. I can’t sit here and explain or even understand why death and loss happen in each of our stories, but what I do see is the promise God is giving us here. That death and loss are a reality we’re going to exist with due to this broken world and we are going to have a God with us in every moment of that pain. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1852
- And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day…Genesis 48:15 – This is the first time in scripture that God is called a shepherd of His people. This is uniquely special to hear coming from the mouth of Jacob for the role of a shepherd was close to his heart. Since he and his children had been shepherds, Jacob would know the full context behind the role of a shepherd and what it meant to apply that to God as his Shepherd. That God never left him alone and always had a watchful eye over him for his protection. That God would always be leading him towards refreshment. That God would carry him when he was hurt. That God would know his name and invite him by name to come under His shelter. I wonder what role you may carry that God carries in your life? Are you a parent? Think about what it means to be a parent and then remember that God is our Heavenly Father. Are you a leader? Think about what it means to be a good leader and remember that God is our Sovereign Lord. Are you a friend to someone? Thank about what that means to be a good friend and that God is our friend. What a blessing it is to have these earthly positions and relationships to help us understand our God better. Thank you Lord for being our Shepherd, Father, Lord, Friend, and Savior. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2854
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