A Father’s Blessing
Today’s scripture selection: Genesis 48-50
Key verses: Genesis 49:22-24
At the very end of his life, Jacob spoke of what would become of his children. In short, he gave them both warning and blessing.
When he came to Joseph, who had lived a turbulent life, but also been richly blessed by God along the way, he had much to say.
He reminded Joseph that God’s hand had indeed been upon him. And though he had certainly had enemies with which to contend (even at times in his own family) – God had been faithful. And he told Joseph God would continue to be faithful.
What greater blessing could this father have given his adult son, now with children of his own?
When we feel overwhelmed; when we feel embattled on all sides it is good to remember that God is faithful.
So often we feel it is “up to us”
- to have all the answers
- to fight all the battles
- to provide for the future for ourselves and our family, totally according to our abilities and “skill set”
But time and again scripture reminds us that God is faithful and provide for us – if only we are faithful to Him.
So, when you need a blessing or two, don’t look for the lottery or your boss or your friends or even your family to take care of things.
Turn to God – turn to your heavenly “father” – and receive His blessing. He’s happy to give it to you – his beloved child.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you the blessing of your counsel and your love. AMEN.
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By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. “Elpis” is the Greek word for “expectant hope.” He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and a member of Spiritual Directors International. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
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