Psalm 105

 Psalm 105

The Exodus is a central event in the history of Israel. This Psalm tells that story with a focus on God's care, provision, and protection. Part of the story of the Exodus is Joseph's pivotal role in Israel's history. This Psalm mentioned something about Joseph that demands our attention. In verse 19a we read, ‘...the word of the Lord tested him.’ Joseph experienced extreme difficulty until his prophecies came to pass. This time of extreme difficulty was apparently the Lord testing Joseph. That word ‘testing’ is typically, or better, translated ‘refined’ and is most often used to describe the purification of metals. Ore is heated; the metal melts and is separated from the dross. All the prophecies that Joseph had received from God over the years were a melting, refining, and purifying event. We imagine that the blessings of God are all happy moments, but they also remove some stuff that shouldn't be there. Refining isn't fun, but it is part and parcel of God's lifting us up. There isn't one without the other.

“Help me, Lord, to embrace your refining process in my life. AMEN.”