HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since: Genesis 44:28

These are words caught from his Father’s mouth by Judah; and here repeated, in his most pathetic intercession, with the hope of softening the Governor’s heart and moving him to spare Benjamin at least. They are very sad, and, without doubt, justified by the vision of that bloodstained coat. Yet there was another interpretation to the sad and dark suggestion that it made: Joseph was alive, and they were soon to know that it was he with whom they were dealing and that he was conducting them through these strange experiences.

We are often tempted to judge hastily, and by appearances; by our own despondent, sorrowful hearts; or by the reports of others. We may say that certain things are against us, when, if we would only look beyond appearances and circumstances to God, we should find that He had been working, and was working, mightily on our be-half – that all was for our lasting good.

So many times we are confronted with a situation and before we search for ourselves we began to judge the person before us, even though our future depends on the decisions of the one we are inwardly casting judgement on. We are so caught up in ourselves and the flesh that we cannot see the work of God before our very eyes.

Do not say that you have lost your Joseph; he lives, and will yet be a comfort to you. He was taken from you for a little, to bring blessing to your whole family, but to be given back to you, more yours than ever. Sometimes the decisions we make are not always in our best interest but the doing or working of God for our future.

Do not look at the sad, but on the bright side of God’s Providence. All things are working for the best. “In all these things is the life of the spirit.” Do not judge Him, or try to understand; be still and trust. You will someday be ashamed of your little faith.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain,
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

I just want to encourage you this morning to take a little time before you make any harsh decision which will come back to haunt you in years to come. Whatever the circumstances do not be hasty to make that decision. Do not hate me because others don’t like me or hate me without a cause. Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. Do not let your actions today come back to haunt you and your family tomorrow. Joseph is your brother, he is the flesh of your flesh and bone of your bone.