Fulfillment Found Through Famine

The Shocking Message



These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008. They were written by a Godly lady for other ladies young and old so that their walk with the Lord may be strengthened.

Used with permission from New Beginnings Baptist Church.


Learning how to face our family problems through an in-depth study of the troubled home of Joseph.




This devotion is part of the "Family Problems" series.


When I had originally started this study on the life of Joseph, I looked at this story from the angle of family problems. However, as this story continues to unfold, I stand amazed at how intimately God has been at work in the hearts of every member over the years. As we begin reading Genesis chapter 42: 1-5, we can see how God has not only created a famine in the land of Egypt but was also using these adverse circumstances to affect the lives of Joseph's family back home. Yes, the Lord was rousing the hunger of Jacob and his sons and the time had come to do something about this particular problem…

Genesis 42:1-5
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Upon seeing the delicious corn his neighbors had bought in Egypt and brought home, Jacob was provoked to action. It's good when the head of the house is stirred to put forth some effort toward finding an answer to the family's struggles. When we observe the needs of others being abundantly supplied, it usually spurs us on to fulfill our needs as well! Who in their right mind would want to stand by and watch somebody else obtain nourishment for their souls yet sit home starving themselves?? Keep that point in mind as God changes you and your walk with the Lord is refined. People are going to notice that God is prospering your home and not only are they going to want exactly what you've got, they're going to sample the same source of fulfillment you chose. We must ever be aware of the drawing power of our example!

John 12:32
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Like Jacob, having discovered where help is to be had, we should quickly apply for it. Surprisingly, even hungry people cringe at the labor and are deferred by the cost involved. Ladies, there is always full provision available in Christ; but we must first get up off our duffs and come to Him, and secure food for our souls! God is not going to just deliver the goods to our doorstep and do all the work Himself…

2 Thes. 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Spiritually speaking, how hungry are you today?? When you're starving to death, you'll do something about the problem of finding food; you'll start noticing who's got food and who doesn't. Jacob appears frustrated with his sons for sitting around and staring at each other while they could be doing something about improving their family situation. You wouldn't be guilty of the same behavior, would you?? Many husbands and wives are craving a happy home, they are unhappy with their marriages, not satisfied with the way their family is turning out in general, yet they sit home Sunday after Sunday and never seek out a good Bible preaching church that can provide them the answers to their problems from the Word of God!

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Yes, people act like Jacob's sons - many sit around wasting time "looking upon one another" - blaming each another for their miserable situation rather than exerting some effort in a positive direction! Some even peer out their windows at the Christian family next door and talk about how they need to go to church with them sometime but then they lazily settle back into their chairs and turn on the television and forget about the corn they saw their neighbors bringing home! How much of a famine do YOU really need to experience before you're serious about seeking help for your family?? Stop talking about how bad the famine is at your house when you can DO something about it! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get up and go buy some corn and find nourishment and health for your home! At the prompting of their father, Jacob's sons finally got up and did something about their hunger. At that moment, these brothers had no idea how close they were coming to the total restoration of their family… Dear lady, that could be your story too! What might your heavenly Father be using a famine to prompt you to do today? Don't waste another minute - do what He bids you - there is fulfillment close by!

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003 Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website