Obey and Be Blessed

Today I read Genesis 44:2-47:7 and Matthew 22:40-24:12. My favorite verses are:

Genesis 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Joseph knew what it meant to be led by God and used by God; he let his brothers know that they did not need to feel guilty for selling him into slavery. He knew that it was God’s plan for him to be in Egypt at that time to guide Pharaoh in the storing of food to save lives during the years of famine. Because he obeyed God even in difficult circumstances, God blessed him. Jesus spoke to the children of Israel living in Jerusalem during his ministry. He reminded them that He would have gathered them together and protected them if they had obeyed him. But they repeatedly disobeyed and robbed themselves of the blessings and care God wanted to give to them. Each of us must choose whether or not to obey God’s direction in our lives. Remember that obedience brings blessings!