Tried & True?
Based on Genesis 41-42, Matthew 12:1-23
What are we willing to give up to please the world, or ourselves? Is it easy for us to sacrifice our morals and Spiritual standing to sink into the comforts & pleasures of this life? While it's true that God wants us to live a good, joyful, fulfilling life, it's also true that we must be tried. We must prove what our priorities are, to show God what (or Who) we love most. Will we stand tried & true?
Joseph was a true man. Every trial & sacrifice which came his way, he came through on God's side! He didn't turn his heart away from God in those moments of difficulty. Now in our reading, it comes to the point where we see if Joseph's brothers have changed. Now comes their test to see if they have become tried & true! There was a famine in the land, and the brothers made their way to Egypt for food...and they had to come to Joseph, being now Pharaoh's "right-hand man." His brothers didn't recognize him, but Joseph knew exactly who they were!
"And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. And they said unto him, Nay, my Lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies." Genesis 42:9-11.
True men, huh? I can't even imagine the burning explosion of frustration which was bubbling up in Joseph, wanting so badly to reveal his true identity! Instead, he challenges his brothers according to their words, to see if they are true men or not:
"Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies." Genesis 42:16.
They were told to bring back Benjamin, the youngest, while Simeon stayed hostage. The brothers could have left, never returning and forgetting about Simeon like they did to Joseph, or...they could be tried & true:
"If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so." Genesis 42:19-20.
What are we willing to give up for God? Are we ready to stand firm in our morals & Spiritual standards, no matter what? Will we be proved tried & true? Is it worth is to us?
IF WE STAY TRIED & TRUE, GOD WILL SURELY BRING US THROUGH!
written by
Gina Pietrzak
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