February 1 – New beginings

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come . . ."  ~ Isaiah 46:10

How many new beginings have you faced in your lifetime? Did you feel excitement? Apprehension at leaving the past behind, and relief, once the decision has been made, Followed by anticipation as you contemplated a future with hope and promise?

But for some, beginnings can feel treacherous – especially if emigrating to another country....letting go of comfortable, established relationships—colleagues, family members, homes and jobs — fear of the unknown. As in all new beginings our only certainty and security is to be found in God.

The Bible, and secular history, burst with characters who also lived through these emotions and had new beginings (sometimes on many occasions) throughout their lives. Take Joseph and William Miller as examples. To say that their lives were ones of new beginings, is almost an understatement.

The story of Joseph can be dated to the period between the 7th century BCE and the third quarter of the 5th century BCE, which is roughly the period to which scholars date the Book of Genesis.[2] (Wikipedia) and found in the Bible - Genesis 37-50. William Miller dates between 1782-1849 (Wikipeadia).

Margaret Mitchell, in her book “Enduring Grace” tells us that Joseph's young life began just prior to God setting him and his family free on a new beginning back to their native land (Gen. 30:25, 31:3). Highly favored by both his Heavenly and earthly fathers, and hated and betrayed by his brothers, Joseph was eventually sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites, which began his journey to Egypt (Gen. 37:27). Once there, he was resold to Potiphar, where he began a journey of slavery (Gen. 37:36).

In the beginning of Joseph's enslavement, Potiphar saw God's favor upon him and placed him in the highest position over his household and all his possessions (Gen. 39:3-4) 

Even when Potiphar's wife betrayed Joseph, which began his prison term, the warden took notice of God's favor upon him, putting Joseph in charge of other prisoners right at the outset (Gen. 39:23).

And immediately after interpreting Pharoh's dream, Joseph was placed in charge over Egypt (Gen. 41:43).  In the beginning of his new position of authority, he also began a marriage journey. Then a travel journey over Egypt.  And then a journey of parenting.

Holding onto God from the beginning and throughout, Joseph forgot all his troubles and became fruitful in the land of his suffering (Gen. 41:51-52).  Coming full circle, Joseph was able to feed the very brothers who betrayed him, sustaining their lives.

No matter what his circumstances, Joseph was blessed from every beginning. Determined to do the right thing, he handled his journeys with kindness, obedience, longsuffering, trust and patience. He was tested and refined  Crafted and fired, he emerged an overseer of a nation, blessing those who persecuted him Holding tight to his faithful God along the way, Joseph was consistently promoted and rewarded.

Only through obedience to God can we maintain divine favor from beginning to end amid our circumstances. God is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 21:6). It's simply a matter of whether we will cooperate His way along the way, even if it seems that so many of our new beginnings occur after a catalyst of discord.

(Margaret D. Mitchell. Adapted from “Enduring Grace”).

Tomorrow we will look at William Miller's life. In the meantime click on the picture for today's music – The Gaither's Vocal Band presenting “Alpha and Omega”