Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Overcoming hard times
Genesis 41:28-40
Vs 29-30 - Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.
In this bible passage God shows Pharaoh a dream about what he is about to do. Pharaoh heeds the dream and prepares ahead for the famine. Pharaoh appoints commissioners to gather a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance and store them as reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine.

However not everyone can be prepared ahead for hard times like Pharaoh. There may be times when we go through hardships that we may forget the years of joy that God has given us. This passage teaches us to always trust God no matter how severe the struggle may be. Just as Pharaoh trusted God and was prepared to face the famine ahead, God reminds us in the same way to be always prepared for not only joy but for sorrow. If our lives were only filled with joy, we may forget to be thankful or to trust God. However, through our sorrows we learn to seek and trust God. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of Gods promise “never will I leave you, never will I forsake you”. Through our sorrows and losses, we learn to be prepared to overcome anything if we have our faith in God. Sometimes during our struggle it’s hard to understand Gods plan or purpose. We must remind ourselves that our future is secure in the hands of an all-knowing God. As Psalms 30:5 reminds us “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night but rejoicing comes in the morning”.
 
PRAYER
Dear father, give us the strength to face our pain and to trust You to deliver us. Teach us to be thankful for not only our joys but also for our sorrows, which helps us to emerge stronger in Christ. Amen
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“No matter what you are facing today, no matter what challenges or obstacles are in your life! He will make a way for you, even when you don't see how. Have faith in your God, give your Lord the benefit of the doubt, trust him, let him prove to you that he is God almighty and he has powers to deal with all your problems. Amen!
- Glen Rambharack

Dr. Shiby Trigy, St. John’s MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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