An Answer to Prayer

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 124

Psalm 124 ESV

A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Scripture Memorization: Genesis 50:19-20

Genesis 50:19–20 “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 (Gideon)

Ephesians 2:1–10 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Sermon:

Good Morning Church! I was glad when they said to me let us go and worship in the house of the Lord!

This morning we turn our attention to Genesis chapter 43. A continuation of the Saga of Joseph. Last week we spent our time looking carefully at the brothers, the the ten Brothers of Joseph. The ones who beat him, threw him in a pit, sold him into slavery, lied to their father to cover up their misdeeds. The ones who hated Joseph, who called him the dreamer. They wouldn't even call him a brother.

And we looked at them and saw God, bringing about repentance. We saw what true repentance looks like. We saw how our lives ought to, in that respect, mirror the lives of the brothers. And today we're going to continue on that sort of theme with a slightly different twist.

I'll start by asking a question, I want to get our minds thinking in the right way. Have you ever found yourself at the end of your rope? And here i mean like the very very end of it. I mean like child in the Neonatal ICU or wife needing a kidney transplant levels of desperation. Where it feels like Situations, the world, Everything... is piling up against you.

You feel helpless and hopeless. And you find yourself doing the only thing you feel like you can do at this point: Which is pray.

And even that if we're being honest. It doesn't feel like it's doing much. We've, you've reached the point where we cry out to God because that's all we have left. And we hope. And we wait. And we hope. And we wait. And in the waiting we cry out to God.

What I hope that we will see today in the text that's before us is the God who will answer those prayers. In fact, God being The Sovereign King of Heaven, the one who knows the end from the beginning, the one who holds all of the universe in his hands, the one for whom and from whom, and to whom are all things… He answers those prayers often, even before we pray them. And so, as we find ourselves the end of our rope. As we find ourselves. In places of desperation. May we cry out to God to the the fullness of how he will answer.

Genesis chapter 43 is our text for this morning. As we have been, these are longer sections, so we will read it in chunks as we come to it with each blank. So, let's begin our time this morning appropriately. With a word of prayer.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the goodness and Grace that you have given to us. When we were dead in sin and trespasses, you made us alive together with Christ. When we were Rebels to your will you called us and saved us and made us your own. When we were dead bones you called us to come alive. So, we ask this morning that you would show to us the depths of your mercy and Grace. I ask this morning that you would speak through your word to our hearts. May we be enlivened as we hear from you. I ask that you would use this time to build us up, conform us into the image of your son, Our Savior, the one who made a way when there was no way. The one who paid the price that we owed. it is in Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

The way this text works is that All of it… I believe, the right way, or maybe just the BEST way to understand what's being said here is to understand all of this text as a singular, overarching, overwhelming, all-encompassing answer to a specific prayer prayed in this text.

Genesis. 43 verse. 14. Here we find the prayer is the prayer. It is a prayer of Israel. Also known as Jacob, the father of Joseph. Genesis chapter 43, verse 14:

Genesis 43:14 “May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man”

Thus the prayer that God is answering is this prayer that that Jacob is praying and a simple but profound one. “May God Almighty Grant you Mercy!”

Again, context is very important here. The the undertone, and the undercurrent of all the context is this: Everyone on the face of the Earth - save those in Egypt - is starving to death because of a great famine that's over the face of the Earth. The only reason Egypt is not starving is because God gave Pharaoh a dream. And more importantly, God gave Pharaoh Joseph to interpret that dream. And using wisdom and discernment and the gifts that God had given to him. Joseph made a way and provided for the whole world through this famine.

So, part of the context is everyone in the world is starving to death. The other part is, Joseph has power and authority. The brothers have already gone once, and Joseph said, I'm not going to stand for this you SPIES… if you come back here you must bring Benjamin. And to prove this, namely that I am completely serious and the one with power… and for a down payment on you coming with your youngest brother, I'm keeping Simeon.

And then he pulls this trick on him, where he puts the money back in their bag. So they think, well, now that he's going to think we stole. We can't go back. What are we gonna do? He is going to think we are spies AND thieves… Everyone is at risk because of starving to death. The brothers and the family feel extra at risk because they have run afoul of the ONE person in the world with food! In particular I would say Jacob feels at the end of his rope.

His options are: 1) Starve to death or 2) risk losing Benjamin, like he lost Joseph.

This for him is an untenable, unacceptable, painful, and difficult feeling. We'll get to it, but just keep in mind here his prayer: “May God Almighty grant you Mercy?”

But even as he prays this, God is at work. Let's see how this happens for us.

Genesis chapter 43, starting in verse 1.

Genesis 43:1–5 ESV

Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ ”

Judah lays it out perfectly as perfect as can be: the man said “You won't see my face if you don't bring your other brother” if you're not sending Benjamin then we're not going. If you send Benjamin, then we will go.

But the consternation in Jacob here named Israel's heart continues, verse six

Genesis 43:6 “Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?””

Why would you tell him about Benjamin? Why would you do that?

They replied. Verse 7,

Genesis 43:7 “They replied, “The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?””

We were just answering questions! If we go back and remember the context The full thought is this: he thought we were spies. He was going to kill us, so he said do you, have a father. Yes, is he alive? Yes, do you have any brothers? Yes. How were we to ever know he'd say, well, you have to bring your younger brother?

Genesis 43:8–10 ESV

And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”

God is answering Jacob's prayer “may God Almighty Grant you Mercy”? Here here, even before the prayer is prayed. When we see that Judah Rises.

Judah RISES

Judah the fourth, oldest son. Will rise up. And take the position. Of a redeemer. Of a protector. And of one who will ensure that Mercy is granted. Judah says… his words are really important... In verse 8: “Send the boy with me and I will arise”. Here's where we get the language of Judah Rises.

I will arise and go. That we may live. Father, we must go. We will all die of starvation. Let the boy go. I will take him. I will arise. I will go. We will live, not just we will live. Both we and you, not just your sons, but also you And not just that, our little ones, your sons sons… The the way he's saying this is that Judah Rises up and says, I will go. And when I go, I will give life, to: YOU, Your sons, and your grandsons.

Judah Rises to a position. He is acting as… a phrase that'll come more clear and have more flushed out understanding later in the Old Testament… But here, he's sort of a precursor and a prototype of what we would call a Kinsmen Redeemer. One who will? By his strength and might and sacrifice redeem his family.

I'll do it. I will be a pledge of his safety. Judah places his own neck on the line. If I do not bring him back and set him before you. I will bear the blame. Not for a little while, not till you feel better. I will bear the blame forever.

Judah Rises to a position of authority. In that he will take a stand and place himself as the mouthpiece and the the the figurehead for this expedition.

Judah Rises because many people need to live and Judah is the one who's willing to say I will do this? So, he goes to his father and says, I need to take Benjamin. Give me Benjamin, you have my word, my pledge. My honor.

Judah Rises. He stands up.

Jacob is square between a rock and a hard place. He hears Judah's words and Judah is right. If we don't go down, we all die. So, the risk is send Benjamin, he might die. Don't send Benjamin. We all certainly die. It's not a really hard decision to make. Except for the burden that weighs on his soul.

Genesis 43:11–15 ESV

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

Here Jacob named by the name of Isreal in this text, does what needs to be done, he commits.

Jacob COMMITS

He commits himself to whatever may be may be.

As for me, verse 14, if I am bereaved of my children, I am. Bereaved.

How can we understand this? is this just Jacob, just saying whatever I don't care anymore? Maybe that's a small part of it, but I don't think that's even close to all of it. Or really the greater weight of it.

This is what he has prayed: May God Almighty Grant you Mercy. Ultimately, what Jacob is committing to is he's committing to trust in the Lord. May God Almighty - El Shaddai - The God Who rules and Reigns - May he Grant you Mercy with this man… this man Joseph… this man, the most powerful man in Egypt. This man who, in some sense, holds our lives in his hands. And yet, God Almighty holds Joseph's life in his hands. So I am appealing to the higher authority I am committing this Quest to God Almighty. I'm committing myself that whatever will be will be, I will trust in the Lord.

They're also committing to a plan, and it's a good plan, a praiseworthy plan. Okay, if you're gonna go, we do everything as right and as above board as above reproach and as praiseworthy as possible. So, we're going to go. We don't have much. It's been a famine, but whatever we do have, you're going to take it as a gift.

The list is balm, honey, gum, myrrh, pistachios, almonds. Take it all. Take these gifts. Also, take the money that was returned. Also take money for the next batch of food that we need to buy. Take it all. I am committing. If we're sending Benjamin, we're doing this, right And we're trusting in the Lord.

How does God answer prayer? One he does it. Before we even pray it, Judah Rises up to take the position. How does he answer prayer? By giving to his servants strength of heart and mind and teaching us to trust in him.

This is what Jacob does.

Genesis 43:16 “When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.””

We have an interesting scene now, the brothers ultimately need to get before Joseph. Joseph's the one with the authority, Joseph's the one with the power. And we're told here they're going to have with him the Noonday lunch.

But Joseph does all of this here through an intermediary. Through his Steward. And here again, God is answering the prayer, “May God Almighty Grant you Mercy”, how do we see it?

God sends a steward. By way of Joseph's commands. To encourage. The steward will encourage the brothers.

The Steward ENCOURAGES

How does the Lord answer prayers? He works in our heart, stirring it, but then he brings in Witnesses and testimonies of God's goodness. Sometimes from places we would not ever expect it: an Egyptian Steward Will Proclaim God's truth.

Genesis 43:17–18 “The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.””

They're being brought directly to Joseph's house by the servant. They haven't seen Joseph, though Joseph saw them. And they are distraught, thier minds immediately go to the worst place. We knew it as soon as we opened those bags... As soon as we saw the money. This is what we asked if we remember what they asked.

Genesis 42:28 “What is this that God has done to us?””

Here, they are like, we're done. What God Said, this is what God has brought to us: judgment being overtaken thrown in the prison of this Egyptian man, and our donkeys are stolen. This is what it's come to.

Genesis 43:19–22 ESV

So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.”

This is what happened … and here, the brothers are being truthful. We don't know what happened. We tried to pay. We tried to do the right thing and yet, when we got to the camp, we opened the sacks money. All our money is there. Every dime we owed you is back in our sack. We don't know how it happened. So, this is what we did because we really don't want to be beat up and have our donkey stolen and thrown in prison… so we brought all the money we're going to give it to you, and we brought more. We just want to buy more food.

Genesis 43:23 “He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.”

From the mouth of an Egyptian Steward the Blessed truth God will answer this prayer. What's the prayer? “May God Almighty Grant you Mercy?” What's the Steward say? - Peace to you. Do not be afraid. Your God and the god of your father has put treasure in your sack for you. I receive your money. I'm fine. We are… we have been fully paid.

I think this is the better way to read this. Not that he's lying and saying, like, oh yeah, no, we got the money. He is saying, your account is clear I have all the money I need from you so Peace be with you! God will Grant you Mercy. Your prayer is answered.

Genesis 43:23–25 Then he brought Simeon out to them. And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.”

Here's your brother, the one that's been in jail languishing for the last year. While you guys left him for dead, he's here. He's fine. They clean themselves up. They have water. It's been a long journey. They wash their feet. They're ready to relax and eat. They get their present ready. All of the things they were told to bring the balm, the honey, the gum, the myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. They get their gifts ready because we're going to dine with Joseph.

All this in the hands of the steward.. God's Emissary is Here in an Egyptian Steward, proclaiming the truth: God answers prayer.

He did it before you asked. Judah Rose.

He will steel your hearts and God will answer your prayer and so you, o servant of God, trust in him and he will answer according to his goodness,

and he will show you that he will answer according to his goodness, because you will hear testimony from people around you, even Egyptian stewards will Proclaim God's goodness. And finally, the Fulfillment of this prayer. “May God Almighty Grant you Mercy before the man”… the man Joseph arrives on scene, and Joseph blesses.

Joseph BLESSES

Not only will you have mercy, not only will God answer this prayer. God will answer this prayer abundantly, exceedingly more than anything we can ask or imagine.

Genesis 43:26–28 ESV

When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.

The brothers who sold him into slavery for having a dream that they would bow to him here, fulfilling that dream because they have been humbled and God is answering their prayer. And they bow their heads and prostrate themselves,

Genesis 43:29 “And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!””

Here the blessing: God, be gracious to you, God. Be generous to you, oh, Benjamin, who was just a small child, the youngest son, Joseph, who was originally the youngest till Benjamin was born. His younger brother, the only other son of his mother Rachel, the favorite son. Of the favorite wife, because Joseph is thought dead and gone. Here's Benjamin. Bringing Joy, the son of his father's right hand. That's what Benjamin means is also the one that brings joy to Joseph.

Genesis 43:30 “Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.”

This phrase, his compassion, grew warm. Maybe in English, we would say it this way his love and care for his brother burned a hole in his soul. His heart was enlivened and burning with love for his brother. So he goes and weeps. Weeps for all the years that he's been in Egypt, and Benjamin grew up from a small child to now a young man. Weeps. For the joy that God has preserved him and protected him weeps for the joy of knowing that he gets to continue to bless him.. weeps bittersweet Joyous tears of mourning that this is the situation he finds himself in.

Genesis 43:31 “Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself

Don't want to give up the whole deal yet… They can't know he's Joseph. Yeah, he can't give it up yet, controlling himself, pulling himself together. He said verse 31 serve the food.

Genesis 43:32 “They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.”

So this is a bit of wierd historical contextual thing going on here. Lets say We're all going to have lunch together. Right look? Say it, like, sort of, let's say we're going to have a potluck great.

Well, I'm going to go eat in my office and no one's allowed to eat there because, you know, as the pastor. Please note I'm saying this with sarcasm to try to prove a point. I don't think this way, but as a pastor, I I have to eat by myself, so I'm going to go eat in my office by myself no one else can be there.

The members of the church you guys are going to all eat out here like we usually do. That's fine, but if anyone's visiting, you're welcome to our potluck here, but you don't get to eat with the members. You don't get to eat with the pastor the pastor. You're gonna go to some tables we have prepared outside… That's where you're gonna eat, but don’t forget.. we'll all have a potluck together.

It's a little strange doesn't sound like we're having a pot luck together if I'm locked in my office, not really fellowshipping and encouraging or enjoying myself. If we say you're welcome to our potluck and then kick you outside...

It feels weird, but but here's the deal. The Egyptians wouldn't eat with Hebrews. It was an Abomination. Here, we have just a hint of what's going to pan out through all of Exodus. Through all of the pentateuch. Through Joshua Through the kings.... There's a difference between God's people. Here interestingly, it's the world. That's, like, we won't eat with God's people, but there's a separation.

Genesis 43:33 “And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement.”

Joseph seats, the brothers. In birth order. From oldest to youngest. To them - to the brothers. This might feel like a miracle. This guy didn't even know he had a younger brother somehow. He sat us in perfect birth order. What's going on? They're amazed. Did God give him wisdom and insight? Well, yeah, by having to be born into your family and you just don't get it yet.

But they're there eating and portions were taken from Joseph's table.

So, again, if we're going to use my potluck example, I'm in my office, the food's back here. My office is closest to the food. I'm going to get the best. But then, sorry members. You guys are out of luck because gher here. I'm not going to give you the best food. We're going to send that to our guests, the the people who aren't members here, the people who just randomly showed up and on a blessed potluck day. They get the best food. Deal with it.

Genesis 43:34 “Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.”

Joseph blesses. Gives them The choice.. but he gives to Benjamin five-fold. And their hearts are enlivened. They are drinking, and they are merry with Joseph. God didn't just grant them Mercy. God didn't just set it up so that they go before this man, and he doesn't throw them in prison, and he gives them food.

It could be that that Jacob, his best case scenario. He's working this through in his mind. Okay, best case scenario, that's gonna happen. I'm going to send all this money. I'm gonna send Benjamin. He's going to take the money. He's going to take the blessing. He's going to take one more son, so I lost Simeon and maybe one more, but at least he'll send back Benjamin. That's best case scenario.

Instead, best case scenario is press down shaken together. All the words we want to use God answers according to his power and goodness. Then, it just didn't have mercy. He blesses them. He gives to Benjamin fivefold. They're eating. They're feasting with him. They're given Choice pieces of food from the second in command of all of Egypt's table. He blesses them mightily.

This is how God answers prayer.

God answers prayer in that often before we even ask it the wheels are in motion. God's Sovereign care over his children does not know any bounds. All of Genesis is teaching us that this is being worked together. That, though other people may intend evil, God is going to answer your prayer before you even pray it, such that many people will be kept alive. As they are today. Judah Rises.

And so, as we look to the Lord who answers our prayers? God answers prayer. Our prayers - in such a way that our hearts are cared for and are strengthened. That we can say. And as for me, if I'm bereaved, I'm bereaved. Whatever God will do, God will do. Though he may slay me yet, I will still praise him. O King, God can save us from the fire of the Furnace. God can save us. He is strong and able, but even if he doesn't, we'll never bow to your idol.

God will send people to show us God's mercies and his goodness, even Egyptian stewards. You're talking to someone. Who does not believe in God, who is as as worldly and Pagan as the day is long. And he looks ast you line man even when you're going through difficult times. There's something different. You seem to handle things differently. Maybe they even say. It's not for me, but that that religion stuff - that Jesus stuff - sure does work for you. The Egyptian servant says peace to you. Do not be afraid. Your God and the god of your father has put the treasure in your sacks, God's doing that.

And when God answers prayers, he does so in ways Beyond anything we can ask or imagine.

As we have gone through this series, the the benediction that I've been reading is Ephesians. Chapter two.

Because this is the full answer.

Now to him... Also, just note this is a prayer of Paul. Paul is praying this over the Ephesian church. So, even this prayer will be answered in this following way. This prayer will be answered even before Paul prays it. This prayer will be answered in such a way that the hearts of the one praying in the hearts of the one receiving the blessing will be stirred up. This prayer will be answered in such a way that even the world will see the Fulfillment of this prayer, and this prayer will be answered beyond anything we can ask or imagine. And so, if we're praying that God bless us beyond anything we ask or imagine. What we are saying is beyond what we can ask or imagine. There exists a place beyond that, and God will answer Beyond even that. This is the third Infinity of God's goodness that we are approaching here. That is, how God will answer our prayers.

Now, to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think According to the power at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

God answers prayers this way, and we know he does because the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in our hearts.

Judah stood up as a Kinsman Redeemer - Jesus is the Redeemer of all mankind.

Jacob commits. We're going to trust the Lord - Jesus committed Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.

The steward saw the truth for the brothers - The Roman Centurion at the cross looked at Jesus and saw the truth and proclaimed surely this man is the Son of God.

And so Joseph blesses. But in Jesus Christ, the blessings are manifold. More than five times the scraps off of Pharaoh's table. The vast riches of Heaven earlier in Ephesians, Paul, wrote this.

Ephesians 1:7–11 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

How does God answer prayer?

Better than you could ever imagine.

For the brothers, it looked like feasting at the table of Pharaoh's right-hand man. Alive and well reunited with their brother Simeon. Knowing that we're going to get to go home Benjamin's going home, where Judah does not have to bear this guilt forever, like he said he would. Joy!

I'm going to put a small asterisk because many of us know the story and what's going on.

There's still a little hiccup. That we're going to deal with. We play a trick on them again, but this time, worse. But because of how God's already answered the prayer, I'm just going to spoil next week's sermon. Because of how God's going to spoil God's going to answer the prayer because of because of Judah. Who stood up? Because God called him to. Because of commitment. Do what God has called us to be.

They'll still be okay.

God's working a plan? May he work a plan in our lives? Let's pray.

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