Troubles come in herds. Uninvited difficulties intrude upon our lives. They do not ask for our attention; they just take it. Sometimes they steal our joy.
Fulfilling Pharaoh’s nightmare, the seven skinny cows ate the fat ones. The seven withered grains devoured the healthy ones. Severe famine led to starvation. Then Jacob decided to send his sons back to find more food. His son Judah reminded him of the obvious. We must take Benjamin if we go back, otherwise we will have no audience with the lord of the land who distributes the food. Israel blamed his boys for even mentioning Benjamin. “Why did you bring this trouble on us?”
When difficulties come, we want to blame someone. Things are not the way they ought to be. Famine shouldn’t be this severe. Government officials should not abscond with a son and demand to see another. From Israel’s point of view, this unsolicited trouble is vandalizing his shalom. He could not see that an unseen hand was working behind the curtain to bring him inexpressible joy. Lost sons would be restored.
What troubles have come your way today? They will steal our joy if we let them. Do not let them. Hold on to this hope: “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purposes” (Romans 8:28). There is hope on the horizon. His mercies are new today!
