Seated In Joy

[0:00] A Pastor's Reflections, Seated in Joy, Genesis 43-34 And he took and sent portions unto them from before him. But Benjamin's portion was five times so much as any of theirs.

[0:14] And they drank and were merry with him. Psalm 16-11 Thou will show me the path of life. In thy presence is fullness of joy. At thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

[0:27] John 15-11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. A troubled past and an uncertain future.

[0:42] And yet in the moment, joy. This was the state of Joseph's brethren as they sat together with Joseph to eat a meal. They knew what they had done in their pasts.

[0:53] And were now momentarily expecting the consequences of those choices to come crashing down upon them. They also knew that their future was uncertain. Would they be able to bring food back to the family in Canaan?

[1:07] Would this stern Egyptian ruler allow Benjamin to return to their father? Despite these troubling questions being unanswered, these men were able at this moment to experience joy.

[1:19] A joy that had nothing to do with their circumstances, but everything to do with a person. Joseph, the stern and mighty ruler of Egypt, had shown a softer side to these men.

[1:31] A side that cared for their welfare and the welfare of their father. A side that desired their peace. Genesis 43, 27 And he asked them of their peace.

[1:43] And said, Is your father at peace? The old man of whom you spake? Is he yet alive? John 14, 27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you.

[1:55] Remarkably, this man, whom these men had feared so greatly only moments before, was now the very one who was putting them at ease. And allowing them to have this inexplicable peace and joy in the midst of their still unchanged circumstances.

[2:12] John 14, 1-2 Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions. Our Joseph, Jesus, has also prepared a place for us.

[2:27] He has seated us undeservedly at a table of joy, where we have found peace in the midst of our still troubled circumstances. Ephesians 2, 6 And has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

[2:46] At that table, we may not understand how our troubled past and uncertain future will play out. But there is someone who does.

[2:57] And not only does he know, but he has already made a plan for our future that will result in everlasting joy and everlasting peace. Jesus, thank you for caring enough to sit me down in a place of joy and peace.

[3:11] Thank you that even when the memory of my troubled past or the thoughts of my uncertain future overwhelm me, I can look and see that you are still there, seated in a place of joy and peace.

[3:26] Amen. Amen.