Notes of Faith September 5, 2026
Great Reunions: Joseph and His Brothers
And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Genesis 45:4-5
Families have the possibility of great conflict because of close quarters and constant interaction. But when conflicts are resolved and relationships repaired, family “reunions” can be sweet.
That is what happened with Joseph and his brothers. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, God’s providence caused Joseph to rise in stature in the royal Egyptian court. When a famine struck Joseph’s family in Canaan, his brothers journeyed to Egypt to buy food. There they encountered Joseph and were reunited with the brother they had sold into slavery. But Joseph saw God’s hand at work, sending him to Egypt to prepare a way for his family to stay alive.
If you have been separated from friends or family, trust that God has a purpose in your pain (Romans 8:28). Do everything you can to be reunited with those you love (Romans 12:18).
Christians ought at all times to be making contributions towards reunion, if it is only by their prayers.
C. S. Lewis
Be grateful that you have parents and grandparents before you, for if you did not, you would not have been born. Be thankful and understand the blessing if God has allowed you to be fruitful in having children, to nurture and raise toward another generation. We do not choose our family (except those who adopt, and thank you!), God does. And though we may have a family that influences our lives in many ways, God calls each one of us individually to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
We were blessed to have a family reunion a few years ago where all of us were able to attend! What a blessing it was. We treasure the pictures and memories now and forever. My wife and I were blessed to have all of our children and their children be here in Kentucky together this past June (2026) and this too brought great joy to our hearts! May we treasure the precious moments that we have together here on earth, for they will end far too soon, and for us to meet again with our family members we must have a relationship of belief and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life that we might be saved from the penalty of sin and death, and offers each one the free gift of salvation and forgiveness through true obedient faith and trust in Him! Pray for your forever family now. See them as often as it is possible. And look forward to being together with them forever by trusting Jesus for your personal salvation!
Pastor Dale