40 Days of Faith: Day 23

Hebrews 11:22 – By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

It’s awfully difficult to see the future, if we can’t properly understand the past. When you look ahead, what do you see? Do you see your children walking with God? Do you see opportunities to invest your resources today so that future generations can come to know Jesus? Do you have confidence that what you have invested in during this life will bring eternal rewards in the next?

As we saw yesterday, Joseph had a perspective that God had used the evil that happened in his life to preserve a people—who would become the twelve tribes of Israel. As Joseph neared his death, he looked forward, speaking about his future resting place for his bones, which meant the movement of this people out of Egypt.

Genesis 50:22-26 states:
22 So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's house. Joseph lived 110 years. 23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph's own. 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Notice the forward-looking faith in verse 24, what the writer of Hebrews calls, “Joseph…made mention of the exodus.” It states, “And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.’”

Joseph makes two key statements here. They are, “God will visit you…” and “God will bring you…”

First, do you believe that you can meet with God? As a reminder, Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” God rewards those who seek him.

James 4:8a states, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” The Bible reveals a God who visits with us as we seek Him and draw near to Him.

Second, do you believe that God can bring you and yours into his purposes for your lives? Philippians 1:6 states, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Joseph’s fundamental belief was that God visits, and God brings! This should be our belief as well.

You see, Joseph knew that God was up to something more in this grand narrative. He was familiar with the covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was well aware that Egypt was never the final destination, but that the time in Egypt was used for a season to preserve and then build up a people so that there could be a mighty nation.

Joseph knew of the land because he had grown up there, and He was confident that God would fulfill His promises to his great grandfather, his grandfather, his father, and his offspring. He could see the hand of God behind him and before him.

What about you? Maybe you have lost sight of what God is up to? Maybe you find yourself in a location or season for which you didn’t sign up. Maybe there is suffering, and hardship, and it is difficult for you to make sense of it. Maybe you have suffered such loss that nothing can console you.

My friend, look up! God will visit you as you seek Him. Psalm 34:5 states, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

My friend, look up! God will bring you into a promised land where there is no more crying or tears or pain. Revelation 21:1-4 says:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Joseph’s final words were soaked in faith. He could look back over his past and see God’s hand, but he also looked forward with confidence, declaring, “God will visit you… and God will bring you.” That’s what faith does—it clings to the promises of God, not only for today but for tomorrow and for generations yet to come. Even in Egypt, far from the land God had promised, Joseph believed the story wasn’t over. And neither is yours. Whatever season you are in—whether waiting, hurting, or wondering—God is still writing your story. Today, take a step of faith by naming one area of your future where you will declare, “God will visit me, and God will bring me.” Trust Him to finish the good work He has started in your life.

Prayer:
Lord, I praise You because You are the God who visits and the God who brings. Thank You that my future is in Your hands, and that no season of my life is wasted in Your plan. When I am tempted to doubt or fear, remind me of Joseph’s faith and help me to say with confidence, “God will visit me, and God will bring me.” Strengthen me to trust that You will carry me and my family into every promise You have made. Keep my eyes on the future You have prepared, and may my faith today point others to the hope of Your eternal kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.