Daily Devotional
God Draws Us to Himself
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.’”
Genesis 45:3-5
November 9, 2023
Ponder This
Consider, what was it that brought Joseph’s brothers to Egypt to begin with? They had a hunger. There was a famine in the land of Canaan. If we never had any needs, we wouldn’t come to our Lord. God allows us to have heartaches and pains that point us to Him. Joseph was speaking roughly to his brothers and so overcome with emotion that he had to leave the room and literally weep.
Are you having troubles? Are you having heartaches? Are you having difficulties? Are you having disappointment? Is there pain in your life? There is! That is the silken cord that God is using to draw you to Himself. He loves you. No matter what the appearances may seem, I’m telling you that God loves you and God’s love is greater than all of our sin. What a moment when Joseph said, “Look, I am Joseph!” His brothers didn’t know this gospel song, but I believe they could have sung, “Once I was blind, but now I see.” Joseph wept tears of joy because he was able to make himself known to his brothers. And there’s joy in Heaven when one sinner comes home, is there not?
- When have you grown in your relationship with God during a hard time?
- How do you react when you have sinned: do you run away from God or do you run toward Him? Why?
Practice This
Pray and lay before God all the hurts and difficulties you are facing as you come to Him.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
