Happy New Year! This is the beginning of a new year for all of us. Those of you who were here on New Years Eve for our Watch Night service may recall the word the Lord gave me for 2026 is: Behold I come quickly.
Revelation 22:12-14
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
***Pastor Edwin had a related or similar word and that had to do with, God are we good? Or Lord am I doing what you called me to do? Am I walking in relationship with you the way that you called me to?
Today is also the day that we start the Daniel Fast together as a Church. If you would like to know more about this and be a part of our Daniel Fast small group that will meet for dinner and bible study on Friday January 9th, January 16th, January 23. Text Daniel Fast to 804-892-4293.
***This morning the Lord gave me a very unusual passage of scripture. I was sleeping and this scripture came to me in the night over and over again.
Turn with me to the book of Genesis 45:18
18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
*** The phrase the Lord kept repeating to me over and over was: You shall eat of the fat of the land.
Now this passage of scripture is a record of Pharoh speaking to Joseph extending the invitation for his father and all is family to come live in Goshen. This was the time the regional famine had started that sent Joseph’s brothers to seek grain from Egypt in the first place.
It is after Joseph reveals himself to his brothers that Pharoh hears about it and extends this invitation.
This word for “Fat” of the Land
cheleb, kheh'-leb; or חֵלֶב chêleb; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part:—× best, fat(-ness), × finest, grease, marrow.
**It is interesting that the majority of the time we see this word used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the part of the animal during ceremonial sacrifice to the Lord as something that is God’s alone and is to be offered as a burnt offering to him. A sweet richness. We first see this word used in the Hebrew bible in: Genesis 4:4
Genesis 4:4
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. H2459 And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat H2459 that covereth the inwards, and all the fat H2459 that is upon the inwards,
*** In this passage of scripture Pharoh is telling Joseph to bring his family and he is going to bless them not with just food bank provisions, not with the left overs and daily rations of Egypt Snap Benefits and Government cheese. No, Pharoh is saying bring your family and they are going to live in the best part of the land and enjoy the richness and fullness of the best Egypt has to offer.
Genesis 45:18
18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
***Now I want to take you back a couple Hundred years to where God is speaking to Jacob’s great grandfather Abraham.
Genesis 15:1-15
1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
7 And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
***The first point of the Message today: Nothing takes God by surprise, he has ordered your steps to be part of his plan and purpose.
You see in both Joseph’s and Pharoh’s minds this invitation for Jacob and the family to come to Egypt was eastern hospitality and a reward of sorts for Joseph’s hard work and position with Pharoh. I God’s mind it was just the next step in the plan that God had in place to grow the nation of Isreal and bring his Son, Jesus Christ to the world though Abraham’s seed so that in him all nations of the Earth should be blessed.
Today as you begin 2026 I want God to open the eyes of your understanding to see beyond what is happening and see what God is doing in your life and the life of your family. I was sitting with one of our Joy Fellowship members this past week listening to the speak of some of the challenges they are walking through in their life. I was so encouraged to her them say something to the effect that I do not now why I am going through all of this but I know God has a plan for my life.
This is a great perspective to have as we enter a new year. Can you see you life as part of something larger than you? Can you by faith see your life in the perspective of God’s larger plan and purpose for eternity. My Friends the challenge we have today is short term thinking:
There is an ancient Greek proverb:
"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit."
The devil has successfully convinced modern mankind that he should reap the rewards of if his labor and efforts now. People program their lives and legacy to maximize their enjoyment.
Looking back on the promise that God gave Abraham in Genesis 15 it was difficult to fully understand how that would all be fulfilled but it was Faith in God’s promise that brought it to pass. Look at how the writer of the book of Hebrew’s summarizes it:
Hebrews 11:8-22
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
***The first point of the message today: Nothing takes God by surprise, he has ordered your steps to be part of his plan and purpose.
***The 2nd point of the message today: It is by faith we step in to the promise God has for us regardless of what we can see or experience.
***So I want to go back to Genesis 45 and look at the development of this story and see what other spiritual truths we can glean from it:
Genesis 45:16-21 (This is after Joseph tells his brothers who he really is. Word got around to Pharoh)
16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's.
21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
***The 3rd point of the message today: When we step by faith into the promise, God provides provision.
**I want you to see the wagons from Egypt. God had Pharoh send professional transportation to bring Jacob and his family to the land of Goshen. Some of us would be renting a Uhaul when God is sending a white, glove moving service. The wagon is not the same as a chariot. A chariot is a symbol of war, power and authority. The wagon is a symbol of provision, harvest, development, improvement.
*** My friends can you be ready to step out in faith in 2026 and see God send you a wagon load of blessing?
***Continuing in Genesis 45:22-28
22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
Continuing in Genesis Chapter 46:1-7
1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
***Beersheba was a special place. If you recall we spoke about this last year in a message regarding wells and altars
Beersheba is mainly dealt with in the Hebrew Bible in connection with the Patriarchs Abraham and Isaac, who both dug a well and close peace treaties with King Abimelech of Gerar at the site. Hence it receives its name twice, first after Abraham's dealings with Abimelech (Genesis 21:22–34), and again from Isaac who closes his own covenant with Abimelech of Gerar and whose servants also dig a well there (Genesis 26:23–33).
According to the Hebrew Bible, Beersheba was founded when Abraham and Abimelech settled their differences over a well of water and made a covenant (see Genesis 21:22–34). Abimelech's men had taken the well from Abraham after he had previously dug it so Abraham brought sheep and cattle to Abimelech to get the well back. He set aside seven lambs to swear that it was he that had dug the well and no one else. Abimelech conceded that the well belonged to Abraham and, in the Bible, Beersheba means "Well of Seven" or "Well of the Oath".[13]
Beersheba is further mentioned in the following Bible passages: Isaac built an altar in Beersheba (Genesis 26:23–33). Jacob had his dream about a stairway to heaven after leaving Beersheba. (Genesis 28:10–15 and 46:1–7). Beersheba was the territory of the tribe of Simeon and Judah (Joshua 15:28 and 19:2). The sons of the prophet Samuel were judges in Beersheba (I Samuel 8:2). Saul, Israel's first king, built a fort there for his campaign against the Amalekites (I Samuel 14:48 and 15:2–9). The prophet Elijah took refuge in Beersheba when Jezebel ordered him killed (I Kings 19:3).
****This was the place that Jacob had met God before. Jacob went back here and built and altar to the Lord and the Lord spoke to him.
2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
****I want you to see the significance here of this statement***
5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
***The first point of the message today: Nothing takes God by surprise, he has ordered your steps to be part of his plan and purpose.
***The 2nd point of the message today: It is by faith we step in to the promise God has for us regardless of what we can see or experience.
***The 3rd point of the message today: When we step by faith into the promise, God provides provision.
*** The 4th point of the message today: Do not mistake God’s provision for the promise.
Again, it is short term thinking that robs us of our blessing from God. Too many times we focus all our energy on the short-term provision that we lose sight of God’s promise:
Isaiah 54:13
13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
Philippians 4:19
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
My friends we should rejoice and be thankful for the provision of God but we should contend by faith for the Promise of God.
1 Corinthians 15:19
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Let’s go back to Genesis 47:27 and I will show you what it looks like to keep your eye on the promise and not to focus on the provision.
Genesis 47:27
27 And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.
28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.
29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:
30 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.
31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
*** It was a little while later that Joseph was about to die and listen to what he told his brothers and Children:
Genesis 50:19-26
King James Version
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
22 And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.
23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Exodus 13:19
King James Version
19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
John 14
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.