DAY 17 Read Genesis 49 and 50; 1 Chronicles 1.
Today's reading brings us to the end of Genesis and the conclusion of Joseph's remarkable life. The story ends on a note of optimistic faith in God's providential dealings.
Memory gem: "As for you, ye thought evil against me: but God meant it unto good" (Genesis 50:26).
Thought for today:
Have you ever seen an old-fashioned blacksmith hold a heavy piece of iron on the anvil and lightly touch it here and there with a small hammer to show the spots that needed pounding, while some great giant fellow strikes it with a heavy sledge? I have often watched this on my grandfather's forge, while the sparks flew about my ears.
Someone has said that God often permits us to be pounded about in trials and tests, but He means it for our good. He may permit the devil to help pound the saints into shape, but He guides the blows. And here is a word from the apostle Paul about trials--and he ought to know about them, he had so many. He says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Men may bring us into trouble, and our whole life seem to be ruined, but God! Don't forget those words, friends; but God will bring you good. He will see you through at last. Give your heart to Him, and when you are God's child His promises are yours, for "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:16-18).
Today's reading brings us to the end of Genesis and the conclusion of Joseph's remarkable life. The story ends on a note of optimistic faith in God's providential dealings.
Memory gem: "As for you, ye thought evil against me: but God meant it unto good" (Genesis 50:26).
Thought for today:
Have you ever seen an old-fashioned blacksmith hold a heavy piece of iron on the anvil and lightly touch it here and there with a small hammer to show the spots that needed pounding, while some great giant fellow strikes it with a heavy sledge? I have often watched this on my grandfather's forge, while the sparks flew about my ears.
Someone has said that God often permits us to be pounded about in trials and tests, but He means it for our good. He may permit the devil to help pound the saints into shape, but He guides the blows. And here is a word from the apostle Paul about trials--and he ought to know about them, he had so many. He says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Men may bring us into trouble, and our whole life seem to be ruined, but God! Don't forget those words, friends; but God will bring you good. He will see you through at last. Give your heart to Him, and when you are God's child His promises are yours, for "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:16-18).
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