Painting by Peter Cornelius, circa 1816. Photograph by Notanyron, Creative Commons
To read the last post on Genesis, see What Does God Want?: Genesis 44
Read Genesis 45:1-4
In the last post on Genesis, we left Joseph’s brothers in deep deep trouble. Joseph’s steward had just found Joseph’s divining cup in Benjamin’s bag. Joseph has ordered that Benjamin be taken as a slave. Judah, realizing his father Jacob will die of grief if they don’t return with Benjamin, offers himself to Joseph, in place of his youngest brother.
It’s at this point Joseph can no longer contain himself. He orders all his attendants out. “Have everyone leave my presence!” he says. So he’s alone with his brothers. And he weeps. He weeps so loudly, the Egyptians outside hear him. And the word spreads to Pharaoh about Joseph’s weeping.
Joseph says, I’m Joseph! Is my father still alive? But his brothers are unable to speak, because they’re terrified at his presence.
Then Joseph says to his brothers these words, “Come close to me.”
What God Says to You:
What does God say to you? Before He says anything, He weeps for you. He desires you. He wants you to draw close to Him. Your greater than Joseph, Jesus, says the same thing Joseph said. He says, “Come. Please come. Come close to me.”
Listen, I know, it’s like it was with Joseph’s brothers. Your terrified at His presence. You might even be speechless. It is, without question, a daunting thing to come close to Jesus. Like Joseph, Jesus knows about your past sins against Him. And He knows about your misplaced confidence in your own ability. He knows, well, He knows everything. And like Joseph, He has incredible power. Like Joseph He has the power of life and death over you. He has the power to destroy you.
He has the power to change your life forever–one way or the other.
So you’re terrified. You’re terrified at His presence because you know if you draw close, your life will change forever. And there will without question be collateral portions of your life left behind.
But the thing is, you need a Person with that power. You need a Savior. You need your life changed. Your anxiety, your problems, require Someone with that much power to overcome them. Yes it’s dangerous, but the risk is worth the reward. Because the reward is release! You’ll be freed from your burdens!
Listen:
You can unload your problems.
You can be freed from your emotional burdens.
You can be freed from your depression.
Just give yourself to Him.
The degree to which you give yourself to Christ, is the degree to which you’ll experience release from your anxiety.
So do it.
Go to your knees. Or fall on your face before Him.
Pray.
Pray a prayer of surrender.
If you do, you’ll begin a process of healing.
If you do, you’ll be freed.