Prayer: Father, I pray for those who have experienced the loss of a child today. May they be granted peace today from their bereavement. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 43 Key: vs. 13
13 Take your brother too—now, get up, go back to the man!
Attention: When I was a senior in high school, I played varsity basketball. I’ll never forget the evening I arrived at school to get dressed for the evening’s contest. The junior varsity game was being played and for some reason unknown to me at that time, I was not allowed to go into the locker room as was usual. My teammates and I were being directed to the auxiliary warm-up gym. Later we were allowed to head to the locker room and get ready. It wasn’t till after our varsity game we were told that a junior varsity player had called time out and collapsed on the floor during the game. He was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and died enroute of walking pneumonia.
His father always attended the practices and he continued to come and stand by the door to the gym. I remember the look in his eyes, longing to see his son on the court.
Israel too longed to see Joseph, believing he was dead. His back was to the wall. Either allow his son Judah to take Benjamin back to Egypt as was demanded or face the starvation of the entire family. It was a tough decision. He had already lost one son, he agonized over the possibility of losing Simeon whom the Egyptians had kept hostage and Benjamin, his only remaining son by Rachel.
Reluctantly, he agrees, gives the sons a blessing, “May El Shaddai grant you mercy before the man, so that he may release your other brother to you, along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” He had already felt intense grief. The possibility of losing more sons was almost overwhelming, almost more than he could bear. The good news he had longed to hear for so many years was about to be announced. About to be revealed.
If you have lost a child and, like Israel, you long to see your child someday. first, I ask that the Lord of heaven comfort you today according to Matthew 5:4 and John 14:27. He promises to comfort those who mourn. I ask that He brings assurance of seeing your child again. The best demonstration from scripture comes from King David. When questioned by his servants about his recovery from mourning and fasting for the child, he replies “It is I who will be going to him, but he will never return to me” (2 Samuel 12:22-23).
Action: I will pray for comfort and assurance today.
Yield: Yielding to God brings comfort.
Engagement: When I engage with God, I acknowledge He is in control.
Relationship: I am in full relationship with Adonai when I call to Him.
Prayer: Father, I pray for those who have lost a child. You understand intimately, having suffered the death of Your only Son. I declare comfort to those who need comforting. I declare assurance to those who seek assurance. Amen.
Memory Verse: 2 Samuel 12:23b “It is I who will be going to him, but he will never return to me.”
Music Video: Hillary Scott—Thy Will https://youtu.be/iCR_Fa8YV2U
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”