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Life Over Coffee Devotions
All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt (Exodus 1:5).
You may not know where your marriage is leading you, but there is one thing I want you to know: Regardless of your journey, you can rest assured that God is well ahead of you and has made many preparations before you arrive. Like a great friend waiting to receive you at the end of a long journey, the good Lord is always ahead of you and has a well-prepared end in mind. In Exodus, God disrupts an entire nation. The Lord lets the Israelites know that the times are changing. There is turmoil in their land, and they are in dire straits. The famine has spread beyond discomfort, and their families are struggling to make ends meet. From their perspective, they were living in the moment, and there was little hope for change that would improve their future. It was not clear to them what they should do to resolve their problems. From their ground-level view, they had no idea of the plans that God had made for them in Egypt. In Exodus 1:5, the writer tells us that the Israelites were leaving their homes and heading to an unknown place in Egypt. Though the text does not say, I’m sure some of them were struggling with the stirring of their nests (Deuteronomy 32:11). God created an uncomfortable situation because He was writing a story that was far beyond anything they could think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
It was time for a lifestyle change. New people, places, and things were the new normal for the Israelites, and there wasn’t a thing they could do about it. And then, the writer inserted five little words into the Bible: “Joseph was already in Egypt.” Think for a moment what it meant for Joseph to be already in Egypt, waiting to receive his dysfunctional family and confused friends. It took the mighty hand of God to rip Joseph away from his family so that the Lord could reposition him in Egypt. God also used a few Ishmaelite tradesmen, an evil woman, some jail time, and Pharaoh’s favor. To miss “Joseph was already in Egypt” misses the profundity of what God did by a zillion miles. Joseph’s story is more mind-bending than just prepping a place for a few friends and family. God went to great lengths to get Joseph to Egypt because that is what God does for those He loves. God is always persevering with you. He is always planning and working ahead of time, so when you arrive, you’ll be amazed that God is already there. Whether it’s Joseph’s family turmoil or your marriage problems, what you are experiencing on the ground level is not the same as what God is doing on the sovereign level. The Lord works in interfamily disputes in such a way that you will never be able to figure it out until He lets you know, and when you do find out, it will blow your mind.
Take some time to read chapters 37-50 of Genesis while keeping Exodus 1:5 in mind. Ask the Father to calm your soul as you watch Him work, knowing that no matter where He takes your marriage, He will be waiting when you arrive.
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
