November 3

Who Put That There?

[Ishmael’s descendants] lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them (Genesis 25:18).

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-13; 25:17, 18

Song: “Find Us Faithful”

There is an old song about a petunia in an onion patch wondering how it got there. I often remember that song when I think about Jacob’s eleventh son.

As a child, Joseph was surrounded by cousins, an uncle, and even great-uncle Ishmael himself, who were steeped in bitterness. He also lived with 10 brothers who hated him. How, then, did this boy stumble out of the swampland of family feuds as a godly youth. Far from being a petunia among onions, he was a rose and he flourished!

God’s grace seldom falls from the sky in a glob of faith. He uses means. He connects dots in the process of drawing people to faith and the story of forming Jesus’ character in their souls.

So, with regard to Joseph, it is chronologically possible that, in his childhood, he may have had opportunities to talk with his grandpa Isaac. It is also possible those visits included grandpa’s struggles with the Ammonites, and even earlier events where grandpa totally depended on God.

We can be “talk-to” people. By personally depending on God we gain experience with God and His faithfulness that become stories we can tell for all who will listen.

Heavenly Father, thank You for godly people to show us Your way. May we be among them. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.