October 18, 2022

Genesis 42: 36 (NIV)

“Everything is against me!”

We cannot see what loss, sorrows, and trials are accomplishing.*

I read a book in which the heroine recalled a time when she had fallen and injured herself badly. When she complained that “everything hurt,” her sister said, “Everything? What about the middle finger on your left hand? What about your ear lobes?” From then on, whenever she hurt, physically or emotionally, the young lady reminded herself that not everything hurt.

When Jacob complained that everything was against him, a lot of things were. His favorite son was already lost to him; ten of his eleven remaining sons were accused of stealing from Pharaoh; one son of the eleven was being held hostage in Egypt; they were about to run out of grain again and in order to purchase more in Egypt, they would have to bring along their youngest brother (and Jacob’s new favorite) as a pledge of their honor. Was everything against him? With the loss of three sons, tragic as that would have been, he had nine loyal sons remaining. He still had the means with which to buy more grain from Egypt during the famine in his homeland. There was still grain available for purchase in Egypt. And, Jacob had more blessings to count than he realized: his lost son wasn’t dead – he was in charge of grain distribution in Egypt. He and his family were going to be provided for in abundance, far beyond his expectations.

When everything seems to be against us, it’s hard to maintain our confidence in God’s provision. When everything hurts, stop and assess the actual damage. What doesn’t hurt? What has already begun to heal? How can you make accommodations for injuries that won’t heal? Where is God and his glory? Remember his promises: that he will never forsake us; that we will have abundant life; that he works for the good of those who love him. We can’t see how he is working these things for our good, but if God is for us, how can everything be against us?

Let God’s promises shine on your problems.*