Famine pinched all the nations. It seemed certain that Jacob and his family would starve. But the God of providence, who never forgets the objects of his electing love, had already stored a granary for his people! He warned the Egyptians of the coming shortage. He led them to treasure up the grain from their years of plenty. Little did Jacob expect deliverance from Egypt—but there was the grain in store for him.

Believer, though everything appears against you, rest assured: God has made a reservation on your behalf! In the roll of your griefs there is a saving clause. Somehow he will deliver you, and somewhere he will provide for you.

The quarter from which your rescue comes may be utterly unexpected, but help will assuredly arrive in your darkest hour, and you shall magnify the name of the Lord! If humans won't feed you, ravens shall. If earth yields no wheat, heaven shall drop with manna. Therefore be of good courage, and rest quietly in the Lord. God can make the sun rise in the west if he pleases, and make the source of distress the channel of delight.

The grain in Egypt was all in the hands of beloved Joseph; he opened or closed the granaries at will. So too the riches of providence are all in the absolute power of our Lord Jesus, who dispenses them liberally to his people. Joseph was abundantly ready to help his own family—and Jesus is unceasing in his faithful care for his brethren.

Our business is to go after the help which is provided for us: we must not sit still in despondency, but bestir ourselves! Prayer will bear us swiftly into the presence of our royal Brother. Once before his throne we have only to ask and receive: his stores are not exhausted; there is grain still! His heart is not hard; he will give the grain to us.

Lord, forgive our unbelief, and this evening constrain us to draw largely from your fullness and receive grace for grace.