21 Jan 2008

God worked out his great slavation plan through Joseph. The reunion betweeb his brothers brought quite an emotions.

Gen41:51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

The Lord bless Joseph and made him fruitful, but not after all the hardship. Thus he remembered God, both in bad times and in good times. I thank God that I do live in plenty, in good blessings, but let us not forget that should hardship comes, God is there.

In the story of Joseph that follow, three other main characters was reveal - Ruben, Judah and Benjamin. Benjamin played a small role. The other elder brothers made bold promise to Israel and take the lead to bring back food and the other brother from Egypt. It was Judah pleas to Joseph that Joseph broke out tears to reveal himself. Judah confessed everything and withhold nothing, so much so that Israel questioned why must he mentioned Benjamin. Judah also mentioned about Joseph and how the brother sold him to Egypt. I believed in his heart, he was determine to set all things right now, rather than bluff his way out of Egypt. His objectives was for his family to survive the family and put himself against all dangers that follow - resuse Simon, bring food back and protect Benjamin - so much so as the willinging to exhange his own life for these.

The repentant, the change in heart, moved by actions is what Judah did. In a same way, you know the ugly part of me that has to be removed and I pray that I will be able to be of great service to you.

I desire not only for me, but my household to serve you. This year will be a year of happening. God will bring about opening and bring things to past. I continue to allow God lead in the trip to Yunnan and back to EFC. I pray also for a date that I will be able to transit in my new work. Like Joseph and Judah, I do not know what comes next, like foreigner in a foreign land - danger and unknown. The hardship and the blessings, the courage and the leadership with a single purpose is all that set these two men apart - I pray for that!