In Genesis 45:16-28, the famine the people experienced was like the pandemic we are going through today: no one could have prepared for it. Even as Jacob and his sons remembered God's covenant with Jacob, they must have trusted that God would take care of them. Even for us in our present-day pandemic, do we trust that God will take care of us?

1.  God takes care of us through unexpected means and ways (Gen 45:16-20)

Pharoah invited Joseph's family to come to Egypt and bestowed much goods upon them. This was the hand of God working in the heart of Pharaoh. This is a lesson for us too. We often rely on our own strength to overcome the struggles in our lives without seeking the Lord for help. George Muller, a prayer warrior, ran an orphanage with 300 orphans. One day, there was no food for breakfast, yet he led the children to give thanks for breakfast. Then, the baker and the milkman arrived delivering bread and milk! Do we believe that God is all-powerful and He will take care of us through unexpected means? We must remember that God is still on the throne. God can work through people to provide for His people; everything revolves around God's will and purpose for His people. He has a plan for His people and no one can thwart His plans.

2.  God takes care of us abundantly (Gen 45:21-25)

God has promised that He would make Jacob a great nation. Thus, Jacob trusted that he and his family would definitely survive this famine. In Genesis 45:21-25, we see how Joseph cared for his father Jacob and his brother Benjamin. How much more our heavenly Father will care for us! Should God not bestow something on us, it must mean that it is better for us not to have it. The best biblical example is that of Job who gave thanks to God even when much were taken away from him (Job 1:21-22).

3.  As God takes care of us, we must obey Him (Gen 45:26-28)

When Jacob's sons related to him what happened, he responded in unbelief (Gen 45:26). The wagons, etc were evidence to Jacob of the power and authority of his son Joseph. Jesus’ disciples too did not believe when they received the news of Jesus’ resurrection. They also did not believe Rhoda when she told them of Peter's release (Acts 12:15-17). We must always remember God's goodness towards us, despite our sins and errors. We must thank God for taking care of us. We have God's Word, the evidence of God's promise to us. Let us have this full assurance that God will take care of us, and let us live in obedience to Him.