God Will Surely Visit You
(Genesis 50:22–26) One of the greatest men who ever lived was Joseph the patriarch. If it seems like the answer to your prayer is a long time coming, just look to the faith of Joseph. God will surely visit you!
I. The Basis for Joseph’s Faith:
a. (Genesis 50:24) God swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God’s word was all Joseph needed. Why was Joseph so sure that this was going to happen? Because God said. And God swore by Himself because He could swear by no other greater than He. And so, in the immutability of God, Joseph placed his faith.
b. (Romans 10:17) Faith comes by hearing God. What has His Word told you? Baith is believing what God has said. It’s not positive thinking, a gut feeling, a hunch, intuition, hoping for the best, optimism, self-confidence, or wishful thinking. And what was the basis of Joseph’s faith? That God has sworn and He will keep His Word. (Hebrews 11:1) “Hope” here means, “belief beyond any doubt based on the Word of God. You don’t need anything other than “God said it!” “Name it and claim it” is true in this context: if God names it in His Word, then I can claim it! Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word. Get in the Word to get into faith!
II. The Steadfastness of Joseph’s Faith:
a. (Genesis 50:25) “God will surely visit you.” But this promise was a long time in coming. Nothing will remain of Jacob’s body but bones. But faith can rest in God no matter what it looks like or how long it takes. Faith is not shaken by self or circumstances. Faith is based on hearing God. (Habakkuk 2:3) People doubt the return of Christ, and 2 Peter 3:3-10 says they would, but regardless “…the Day of the Lord WILL come!” How do we know? Because God said so. That’s all we need to know. And those that have faith are watchful, listening, looking, learning, and waiting for the fulfillment of what God said.
III. The Fulfillment of Joseph’s Faith:
a. (Exodus 13:18-19; Joshua 24:32) Were his bones taken out of Egypt as he said? Yes! Moses got that box of bones and he carried it all the way to the Promised Land and when Moses died, Joshua took them in! Joseph was still a part of what God was doing (still a part of the promise) even after his death.
b. (Daniel 12:2) Joseph is looking forward to a resurrection and it’s going to happen from the Promised Land! (John 5:28-29). God’s not finished with Joseph yet and God’s not finished with those who’ve died in Christ Jesus. Those bones have got one more journey to make! All that are in the grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God. Joseph said way back in the land of Egypt, “God will surely visit you, and bring you out!” God’s not going to leave us down here in the Egypt land. He’s not finished with us yet. And just as God visited the children of Israel and brought them out of Egypt, one day God will raise up Joseph surely visit each one of us and raise us up. Plus, we have the promise of an empty grave! Christ came out of that grave. And He’s gone to prepare a place for us! Make no mistake, “God will surely visit you!”