Far More Abundantly
"You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command."
GENESIS 41:40
+
Far More Abundantly
How splendidly God honors and exalts those who wait for the Lord and are able to bear a father's hand and rod. Therefore this example should be carefully inculcated and set before all men in the state and in the church, in order that they may learn to wait and to endure in trial. Hold fast! Hold fast! "If you believe," says Christ to Martha, "you will see the glory of God" (cf. John 11:40). Faith must precede, and then the waiting must follow, just as Joseph, in fetters and imprisonment, waited for the Lord. . . How truly, therefore, Paul says: "God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)! Our petitions are too weak and feeble. Joseph did not have the courage to pray for what he obtained; but he held in his heart a dimly burning wick and a bruised reed, yes, that ineffable groaning (Romans 8:26) which was a sweet-smelling column of smoke that ascended into heaven. . . Later Joseph got what he did not understand and never had the courage to hope or ask for. These are truly lofty and wonderful examples which we ourselves should learn and also set before others, in order that we may recognize the divine wisdom, goodness, mercy, and power which are most certainly near us.
GENESIS 41:40
+
Far More Abundantly
How splendidly God honors and exalts those who wait for the Lord and are able to bear a father's hand and rod. Therefore this example should be carefully inculcated and set before all men in the state and in the church, in order that they may learn to wait and to endure in trial. Hold fast! Hold fast! "If you believe," says Christ to Martha, "you will see the glory of God" (cf. John 11:40). Faith must precede, and then the waiting must follow, just as Joseph, in fetters and imprisonment, waited for the Lord. . . How truly, therefore, Paul says: "God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)! Our petitions are too weak and feeble. Joseph did not have the courage to pray for what he obtained; but he held in his heart a dimly burning wick and a bruised reed, yes, that ineffable groaning (Romans 8:26) which was a sweet-smelling column of smoke that ascended into heaven. . . Later Joseph got what he did not understand and never had the courage to hope or ask for. These are truly lofty and wonderful examples which we ourselves should learn and also set before others, in order that we may recognize the divine wisdom, goodness, mercy, and power which are most certainly near us.
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