Readings for the Day
Psalm 56, 57, 64, 65
Genesis 41: 46-57
I Corinthians 4: 8-21
Mark 3: 7-19a
During the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly. [Joseph] gathered up all the food of the seven years when there was plenty, and stored up food in the cities ... The seven years of plenty came to an end: and the seven years of famine began to come. And since the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians ... Moreover, all the world came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 41: 46-57)
It is this act of Joseph, being prepared and divinely inspired, that leads to his greatest triumph. His foresight and his willingness to trust God's guidance is what saves the day, literally for the Egyptians and the many nations around them.
I have always seen this story of Joseph as one that hints at the power of the Jesus narrative. Like Jesus, Joseph goes through significant struggle - from being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery to being wrongly imprisoned in Egypt. Throughout it all, Joseph remains committed to his relationship with God and trusts God to see him through. Joseph then becomes the one who "saves" the lives of countless people during a pervasive drought.
The key for me in this whole saga is Joseph's faith. And it is this kind of faith that can indeed serve our lives as well. As we remain steadfast to the God who is steadfast toward us, we find our way through struggles and doubt, and become instruments whom God uses to bring blessing to the world. How beautiful it is when we come to realize that our lives, regardless of their particular circumstance, are ripe for God's renewal, redemption, and reclamation.
Steadfast Lord, inspire our faithfulness and trust so that we can be blessings to others. Amen.
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