Joseph wept when his brothers spoke to him in Genesis 50:17. Their father passed away. Reality set in. These brothers didn't trust the God in Joseph, the God in them. They were not changed siblings, but grasping still. Concocting yet another story and putting words in their father's dead mouth. Joseph saw right through it. With tears and wisdom and courage, Joseph said: "Am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Genesis 50:20. Joseph moved to love in comfort and kindness to those who betrayed him. And he kept his promise to take care of them---for the next 70 years. And Joseph ... God puts something strong in my soul through your story.
Frederick Buechner wrote: You never know what may cause tears. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it; or a piece of music; or a face you've never seen before. Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling you something about the secret of who you are, but more often than not God is speaking to you through them of the Mystery of where you have come from and is summoning you to where, if your soul is to be saved, you should go next. Beyond Words.
COME BOLDLY: Timeless Prayers
Father, I sit in a pool of tears today. Unexpected tears. And You ride your heavens, Deut 33:46-47 to summon me. To my aid. A God of Summoning. And I know where I should go next but my children, do they know next. May we see Your Face. My little family needs you So.
PHOTO: Looking through a lens, I wept tears of joy sitting on a cabin porch taking this shot. A gift from two friends. I reached out and took grace. And I'm not the same.
I look at Joseph's walk with the Lord, he was betrayed by his brothers, wrongly accused by a sinful wife, forgotten in a dungeon - yet he, not his brothers was transformed by Yaweh. His brothers still found it necessary to lie after their father died. It comes down to the ever simple concept - Do I believe God or simply believe in Him.
ReplyDeleteMay we become so much more in love with Him by knowing Him more and more through His holy word this day, tomorrow, and the rest of the year.
I love that quote by Buechner, Bev. Tears are the unspoken words of the heart. God has touched you, as He bottles up the rain of your heart. Tears put you in touch with deep places. Let them flow. Let them have their way in and through you. Hugs.
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