Romans 8:31-32 “…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Have you ever had any of those “I’m gonna’ eat some worms” days? Or worse? Self-pity engulfs you and the darkness of unbelief threatens to suck the memory of every blessing, every provision, every answered prayer you’ve known, into a black hole. For a moment you forget the promises of God. You overlook his pledge to work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). You don’t remember the assurance found in Joseph’s story, of how his brothers planned to harm him, “but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Maybe you can relate to Jacob.
“Everything is against me!” That was Jacob’s lament when told by his sons that in order to get more grain from Egypt he would have to send Benjamin along with them (Genesis 42:36). He had already lost Joseph. The thought of also losing his youngest son seemed more than he could bear.
Jacob’s claim that everything was against him could not have been further from the truth. In fact, everything was for him…because God was for him. Jacob had resigned himself to let Benjamin go to Egypt because he had no other choice. It was not an act of faith. His faith had long ago vanished, probably with the supposed death of his beloved son. But the everything that was so harsh and bleak was about to change into living colors.
I can’t imagine the reunion between Jacob and the son he had lost. All those years of sorrow and grief were swallowed up in their tearful embrace. Jacob’s satisfaction resounds in his exclamation, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” But the God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine didn’t let him die. He blessed Jacob with seventeen more years…years to reconnect with Joseph, and even establish a relationship with his grandsons.
God is for you…and he’s for me. He intends to turn our devastations and disappointments into unimaginable good. I blush when I think of my short-sighted excuses for self-pity. What else does God have to do to convince me of his love? He has already spared nothing.
So don’t be deceived. Don’t underestimate the love and power of God. Spit out those worms of discontentment….