A Bible-believing evangelical church in the village of Wellington, near Hereford and Leominster.

Thought for the Day – 132

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Preached during the morning service on 31 July 2020 by .


Sermon Notes

E V A N G E L I C A L WELLINGTON CHAPEL

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
DAY 132

Genesis 48:21 — ‘Israel said to Joseph, “Behold I am dying, but God will be
with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.”’

Recommended reading: Genesis 48

Sometimes when I am looking for a new subject to write upon, Kathryn will
come up with a suggestion. Recently she asked if I had ever preached on the
words, ‘But God?’ I accepted the challenge.
During the next few mornings I want to turn to occasions when we come across
these two words and see what we can discover from them.

1. God’s guiding presence.

When we come to the end of the book of Genesis, we also come to the end of
Jacob’s life. He is first mentioned in 25:26. In chapter 50 Jacob returns to Canaan
and is buried in the field of Machpelah which Abraham, his grandfather, had
bought years earlier. The life of Jacob covers half the book of Genesis.
In chapter 48, Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, then
in v.21, after acknowledging that he was dying, issued a prophetic statement:
‘But God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.’
As Joseph looked back over his life, God had certainly been with him.

(a) When his brothers intended to kill him, God implanted into the mind of his
brother Reuben the desire to rescue him. He was lowered into a dry pit.

(b) God was with him as he journeyed to the land of Egypt.

(c) God was with him in the house of Potiphar to ensure he did not sin with the
Captain of the Guard’s wife.

(d) God was with him in prison when he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s
butler and baker.

(e) God was with him as he also interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams.

(f) God was with him as he gathered corn for seven years of famine.

(g) God was with him as he revealed himself to his father and brothers.

We may not have had such an adventurous and exciting life as Joseph, but as we
look back over our lives, whether they are few or many, we can say, despite all
the challenges and difficulties, ‘But God has been with me and helped me.’
He helped me when I didn’t know which way to turn. He has given to me far
more than I deserved. He has saved me and protected me from the evil one. His
presence has been with me every step of the way. That is what I see as I look
back over the years of my life.
However, we can say with absolute confidence that God will be with us today
and for evermore.
Despite our many failings, despite our glaring sins, God will never fail us, nor
leave us. He will continue to be with us.
However, Jacob said more than that: ‘But God will be with you and bring you
back to the land of your fathers.’
Joseph had lived in Egypt for many years, but his real home was the land of
promise.
We must never, ever, forget that though most of us live in the United Kingdom
our real home is the land of promise, heaven.
We are not citizens of this earth. Our true citizenship is in heaven. This world is
not our real home, we are just passing through. So don’t settle too comfortably,
because one day you will have to leave it for a United Kingdom that will last
for ever.
Yes, one day God will complete our earthly journey and bring us safely to the
home of our heavenly Father. Then we can truly settle down for the last time in
peace and security.

All the way my Saviour leads me:
what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy
who through life has been my guide?
O what heavenly peace and comfort
here by faith in him to dwell!
For whatever may befall me,
Jesus will do all things well.
For whatever may befall me,
Jesus will do all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me:
cheers each winding path I tread,
gives me grace for every trial,
feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary feet may stumble
and my soul may thirsty be,
pouring from the rock before me,
there a spring of joy I see.
Pouring from the rock before me,
there a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me:
O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
in my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed, immortal,
flies to heaven’s eternal day,
this my song through endless ages,
‘Jesus led me all the way!’
This my song through endless ages,
‘Jesus led me all the way!’

Frances J van Alstyne, 1820-1915
© in this version Praise Trust
CCLI – 1050955

Pastor: Kristian Dimond 01432 830002 07810 442523 pastor@wellingtonec.org.uk
Elders: John Roberts 01432 830100 jokaroberts@gmail.com
Keith Weber 01568 611251 07436 005561 keith.smallprint@gmail.com
Wellington Evangelical Chapel, Wellington, Hereford HR4 8AX www.wellingtonec.org.uk Reg Charity No 233810
THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY IS PREPARED BY JOHN ROBERTS