We’ve been in the story of Joseph for a few devotionals, and I was wondering where to go now, Lord. I opened a document and the first clause of Psalm 27:14 jumped out at me, wait on the Lord. Instantly, my mind fell on Jacob waiting for his sons to return from their second trip to Egypt for food. I’m sure many questions peppered his thoughts, the most glaring question being whether Benjamin would return home. He’d reluctantly sent him with his brothers, as the governor told them if Benjamin wasn’t with them upon their return, they wouldn’t see his face.
Jacob had done all he could – the only thing left was to wait. He had to wait. He couldn’t intervene, plead, fight, or fuss with the governor as God hadn’t given him direct access to Joseph. He couldn’t get a play-by-play update on his sons’ travels or interactions with the power that be. However long the journey, Jacob was forced to stay home and wait for them to return to find out if God caused their trip to be successful or a failure. Forced to wait.
When you’ve let go of “your Benjamin,” there’s nothing else to do but wait on the Lord! He has taken you from “do this, do that, say this, go here, provide that” to wait on Him! It’s easy to say, challenging to do, but necessary.
Jacob needed God to move. But I love how we see a gift tucked away in this biblical account that Jacob had no clue was even there. God had been working from day one, yet Jacob didn’t understand it until he let Benjamin go and waited.
Sometimes, what you think you’re waiting for isn’t what God has in store for you!! Jacob was concerned about Benjamin returning home. God was about to blow him away with the most incredible and completely unexpected news. Yes, God did send Benjamin back home – but He’d done so much more! More than Jacob could even envision.
Continue waiting on the Lord. He is at work! He has a plan and purpose for all you’re going through. He will move! You may not know, see, or understand how, who, when, or where. That’s not for you to know. God will cover that. Your job, my job, our job is to wait on the Lord.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14 KJV)
21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not. Genesis 45:21-26 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)