June 2023 - LPNI

And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?” (Genesis 43:6 - NKJV)

Genesis 43 details the second trip that Jacob’s or Israel’s sons will make to Egypt for food during a terrible time of famine. You can sense the dread and sadness in Israel’s voice as he contemplates sending Benjamin to this “man” in Egypt. But Israel in submissive faith lets the younger son go to Egypt, knowing that the Lord is still the Lord.  Of course, the “man” in Egypt is none other than Israel’s long-lost son Joseph, whom God used to save many people alive. Reconciliation happens and Israel will die in the strange land, but Joseph will bury his father as promised in the land of his fathers.

Sadness can often strike us in this world.  Even as God’s people we are not untouched by disaster and bereavement.  Sad and difficult events happen in our lives even as they did in the lives of God’s people of old. Martin Luther is an example of this as he had children die in childhood and as he was persecuted for proclaiming the good news of salvation found in Jesus Christ alone. In all the difficult circumstances of life though the believer never entirely loses the comfort of his faith. In this quote from Dr. Luther in his lecture on Genesis 43:6 we see this great truth.

“In happy times Christians rejoice and sing: ‘I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.’ (Psalm 34:1 – NKJV) In fact, even reason and the flesh are glad then and praise the mercy and goodness of God.  But in times of sadness the song of the Christian is mixed with weeping, lamenting, and complaining.  Half the time they are crying, and half of the time they are singing.  Laughing is hard work when you are crying. Nevertheless, we must hold on to the fact that God does not desert his own, no matter what evil may oppress them.”

We all have our own walk of faith in life. We live in different parts of the world. We have different callings in life.  We have our own times of weeping and singing.  No matter what is happening in our lives, God is with us always.  God is always blessing us with his good gifts of life and salvation in Jesus Christ.  

God assures us that the weeping of life is only temporary, and that joy always follows sadness in life.

Pastor John Laux

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

405 Massey Lane, Jacksonville, IL 62650

217-243-3939