Genesis 37:33-35 (New Living Translation)
33. "Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 34. Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 35. His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep."
We hear and read stories about Joseph, but not to much about his father, Jacob. When we focus on one person, we forget about the other people involved. When I began to study about this family, I realized I didn't know to much about this man. His grief was so overwhelming to him that when he died, he said he would still be mourning. Jacob wasn't a stranger to heartaches, he had lost his dear Rachel while giving birth to Benjamin, and now he is told more heartbreaking news. Does this sound like someone you know, or maybe you have been in the same situation? A time when you feel your spirit crushed inside, and you believe you surely cannot endure any more? I have been that one crying out to God, wondering why. Questioning Him, but not finding any answers. There are times in life we will endure tragedies, deaths of loved ones, and circumstances when we are convinced there is no way God can be in this. Times when we shut down, to weary to go on. What do we do? What did the great men of the Bible do when they were faced with "life", like Jacob? Please listen to them and to me. We call on the God of the universe, the One that knew us while we were still in the womb, the One who knows how many hairs are on our head, the One who said He would never leave or forsake us, the One who loves us with an unfailing love. My heart breaks for all the hurting people in this world, but the only place where we can go to for peace, comfort, and protection is to our Lord. I pray for you that as you read this, you will just accept the grace and mercy of God. There will be things happen we will never figure out, but you can be assured, if you look to Him, He will grant you every provision to keep you. God Bless you, just go to Him!
