Devotional: There Is Grain in Egypt

[I have enjoyed the Morning and Evening devotionals of the late 1800’s Particular Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, but find them a bit archaic in presentation. So I have re-written them in more modern fashion for modern ears, in some cases even modifying them.]

And Jacob said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy some for us there, that we may live and not die.” (Genesis 42:2)

Famine pinched all the nations, and it seemed inevitable that Jacob and his family should suffer great need. But the God of providence, who never forgets the objects of electing love, had stored a granary for his people by giving the Egyptians warning of the scarcity, and leading them to treasure up the grain of the years of plenty. Little did Jacob expect deliverance from Egypt, but there was the grain in store for him.

Believer, though all things are apparently against you, rest assured that God has made a reservation on your behalf. In the roll of your griefs there is a saving clause. Somehow, he will deliver you, and somewhere he will provide for you. The quarter from which your rescue shall arise may be a very unexpected one, but help will assuredly come in your extremity, and you shall magnify the name of the Lord. If men do not feed you, ravens shall; and if earth yield not wheat, heaven shall drop with manna. Therefore, be of good courage, and rest quietly in the Lord.

God can make the sun rise in the west if he pleases and make the source of distress the channel of delight. The grain in Egypt was all in the hands of the beloved Joseph; he opened or closed the granaries at will. And so the riches of providence are all in the absolute power of our Lord Jesus, who will dispense them liberally to his people. Joseph was abundantly ready to aid his own family; and Jesus is unceasing in his faithful care for his brethren.

Our business is to go after the help which is provided for us. We must not sit still in despondency, but stir ourselves. Prayer will bear us soon into the presence of our royal Brother. Once before his throne we have only to ask and have. His stores are not exhausted; there is grain still. His heart is not hard; he will give the grain to us. Lord, forgive our unbelief, and this day constrain us to draw largely from your fulness and receive grace for grace.