Consider this: that God knew us - perfectly - long before we had the slightest knowledge of Him. “You formed my inward parts, You knit me together in my mother’s womb…Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect, and in Your book all the days of my life were written, before ever they took shape, when as yet there were none of them.” (Psalm 139: 13, 16) Before we existed in this world, we existed in God’s heart!
Joseph’s brothers, out of envy and malice, had sold him as a youth into cruel slavery in Egypt. Many years later, during a time of famine in their land, they came to beg for food before him as the second-in-command in Egypt. They did not recognize the changed Joseph – but Joseph recognized them. And in spite of all the deep suffering they had caused him, he loved them. (Genesis 42:8) When the brothers discovered who this mighty potentate, who held their very lives in his hands, actually was, they justifiably feared him - but they didn't need to, after all.
Even when we made ourselves His enemies, the Lord knew us, and yearned for us. When we finally left the misery and madness of our wicked rebellion, and came to God in weeping repentance, at first we may have viewed Him inaccurately as only a judge and ruler, and feared and mistrusted Him, offering Him no loving homage. But Jesus saw us as His beloved brothers, as the objects of His infinite affection. “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” (Titus 2:19) He knows and loves His own as well when they are prodigals feeding the swine as when they have at long last opened their hearts to Him and freely given Him their love. And as Joseph did, He invites us to sit at the table with our royal Brother.
Even when we made ourselves His enemies, the Lord knew us, and yearned for us. When we finally left the misery and madness of our wicked rebellion, and came to God in weeping repentance, at first we may have viewed Him inaccurately as only a judge and ruler, and feared and mistrusted Him, offering Him no loving homage. But Jesus saw us as His beloved brothers, as the objects of His infinite affection. “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” (Titus 2:19) He knows and loves His own as well when they are prodigals feeding the swine as when they have at long last opened their hearts to Him and freely given Him their love. And as Joseph did, He invites us to sit at the table with our royal Brother.
Joseph’s brothers, out of envy and malice, had sold him as a youth into cruel slavery in Egypt. Many years later, during a time of famine in their land, they came to beg for food before him as the second-in-command in Egypt. They did not recognize the changed Joseph – but Joseph recognized them. And in spite of all the deep suffering they had caused him, he loved them. (Genesis 42:8) When the brothers discovered who this mighty potentate, who held their very lives in his hands, actually was, they justifiably feared him - but they didn't need to, after all.
Even when we made ourselves His enemies, the Lord knew us, and yearned for us. When we finally left the misery and madness of our wicked rebellion, and came to God in weeping repentance, at first we may have viewed Him inaccurately as only a judge and ruler, and feared and mistrusted Him, offering Him no loving homage. But Jesus saw us as His beloved brothers, as the objects of His infinite affection. “The Lord knows those who are His.” (II Timothy 2:19) He knows and loves His own as well when they are prodigals feeding the swine as when they have at long last opened their hearts to Him and freely given Him their love. And as Joseph did, He invites us to sit at the table with our royal Brother.
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