Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

Poor Joseph had been thrown in a well by his brothers and then sold as a slave. He was later accused of assaulting Potiphar’s wife and thrown in prison until Pharaoh released him because Joseph had a gift of interpreting dreams. He warned the king that there would be seven good years and seven bad years. So, Egypt prepared by storing up food for seven years, and then when the suffering and famine came across the land, including Cannon, where Joseph and his family were from, Egypt was prepared to help those who came to Egypt. Among those was Joseph’s family, and they were reunited. 

Because of those events, the Israelites were saved, and many generations later, during the time of Moses, God once again stepped in and saved His people from the oppression of the Egyptians. Although Joseph had pride issues, he did not deserve all that he went through, but because of what he went through, Egypt reaped the wrath of the living God. His people also saw the works of the Lord and were set free from the chains of Egypt, and they eventually returned to the home God had given to them.  

During the 1930’s the world experienced depression and a global economic fall. There are some today who might recall the devastation that our nation faced when they were just children. At the time, it would have felt like there was no hope, but the Great Depression began a new era of global proportions. Because of the impact on industrialized nations, colonial territories, and commodity-exporting countries alike, with profound economic, social, and political consequences that shaped the 20th century, the Great Depression created unions and workers’ rights, global financial reforms and economic policies, and other social protections. However, it would be WWII that would eventually turn the world upside down and reset industrial production and employment worldwide.

Even today, we all, in our own circumstances, face struggles that we cannot comprehend the purpose of why we must endure such fiascos of life. Some of us must endure ailments and illnesses, loss of income, homes destroyed by nature, and I imagine more than what has been mentioned. Such catastrophes of life prompt the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The simple, but not so simple, answer is that there is bad in this world because man, not woman, chose to disobey God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This opened the door for evil to enter the earth. The partaking of the fruit of this tree has led to man learning what wrong is and what right is. Because we know what is wrong, we also know the consequences, and have come to learn how to right the wrong. Sometimes, though we cannot right the wrong, but God does have that ability, and sometimes He allows the wrong to take place to reach the fulfillment in the mission to restore creation.

A fire burns an entire forest, but the forest, in time by nature and the nature of God, returns with new growth. It was the plan God had, and so are the plans for us. God dictates our plan and leads our steps if we let Him. We may have to suffer for a time, but there is also a time for joy. So, do not woe in the times of despair, but praise God for being with you in the time of brokenness. For whatever is in the hands of God will always be for the good.

Last week, the little lambs investigated the story of Noah and the ark, as it is written in Genesis 6-9. They uncovered evidence that God had a perfect design for the ark, and that everyone around the world remembers the story of the flood. They also discovered evidence that ocean fossils can be found on mountains. This week we will be investigating the story of Job and learn how God uses hard and difficult times for good.

I look forward to worshiping the Creator with you through songs of praise and dancing before the Lord Almighty. If for whatever reason I do not see you, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and guidance through your journey, and may He comfort you, heal you, and strengthen you when you are in need.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)