God and my private life

Saturday September 4, 2021

God and my private life

Ten of Joseph's brothers went down to Egypt to buy wheat... When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he behaved like a stranger to them. He spoke harshly to them. Genesis 42:3-7

Like many travelers going down to Egypt at that time, Joseph's brothers had only one thought : to bring back wheat for their families. But they do not imagine that they will have to meet a man who will tell them about their private life and bring them to a self-examination, as Joseph will.

So goes the unbeliever. He too wants blessings from God : good weather at the right time, rain when it is needed, good health, material goods to face the necessities, legitimate joys... But as for considering that God is occupies moral questions, old or recent personal behavior, private life, that he does not want.

What is the Christian's behavior on this matter ? We are sometimes willing to seek the blessings of the Lord, rather than examine before Him our moral and spiritual state. However, we need to learn, like Joseph's brothers, that our Lord cannot just give His blessings, but He wants to establish a happy relationship with us. That is why it is necessary to discuss and settle with him the questions relating to our moral state.

This process was painful for Joseph's brothers, it can also be for us : If he examines you, will he approve you ? (Job 13:9) ; Joseph spoke harshly to them (Genesis 42:7). Yet Joseph's tears are sincere, they show his sensitivity and his love for his guilty brothers.

Likewise, the one who probes us is the one who loves us. On this basis, over the days of our Christian life, in the many temptations, in the pressures to which we are subjected, in our failures... we will no longer say : "Do not concern yourself with my private life !" On the contrary, in order to know the thoughts that preoccupy us and to know on which path we are, we will introduce God into this search that we dreaded so much, before belonging to him. We will say : Examine me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts ! See if I'm on a bad self and lead me down the path to eternity (Psalm 139:23,24).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)