“We desperately need God’s King to save us from death and make us His people… and we desperately need God’s King to save us from ourselves and remake us as His people.”

The other day, I saw a meme that was supposed to be encouraging. It listed the numerous things we’ve faced as a nation, and across the globe, each month of 2020. At the end of this list, it stated, “Give yourself grace. You’re stronger than you think if you’ve survived this far.”

I guess I was supposed to feel empowered. Or relieved? That just maybe the worst year has happened/is happening, and it’s made me stronger? Also, there’s an implication that it can’t get any worse than this, right? But you’re not allowed to say that out loud. The moment you say that, everyone takes in a sharp breath and braces for the newest headlines filled with calamities. Or there’s that constant comment made after breaking news asking about your 2020 bingo card. “Who had murder hornets on their 2020 apocalypse bingo card?”

I’m there: I have become cynical this year, even in regards to God’s grace and forgiveness. My 2020 bingo card is waiting with all the worst things, and even some blank spaces for the things I can’t even imagine might manifest before the year is over. Even then, I haven’t relegated this cynicism to December 31st, so I guess I’ve started my 2021 bingo card as well.

Michael Kelshaw reminded us of how Joseph prefigured the one true Rescuer and Ruler. In Genesis 42, Joseph had gained power and held a position as a ruler to offer rescue to his brothers, the very bothers that left him to die in a pit, and then sold him into slavery.

Joseph had advised for storehouses to be filled with grain during the years of plenty, and sure enough, the storehouses were full for the years of famine. His brothers came to receive a ration of grain, and Joseph recognized who they were. And the beauty that exists in the exchange between Joseph and his brothers is the heart of Joseph to be reunited with all of his brothers once again. He, as a ruler, could have rejected them in revenge, or exposed their sin to their father. But alongside the storehouses of grain, Joseph drew from the storehouses of forgiveness.

This is what Jesus does. He is a gracious ruler that has stored up for us in our years of famine. Our famine is here; our famine is caused by our sin. And 2020 seems to reveal that famine all the more. But our Ruler provides ration after ration no matter how long the famine lasts. And in His gracious ruling, He rescues. He gives us a double rescue; he rescues us from death, and he rescues us from ourselves.

My bingo cards may very well fill up. 2021 may even contain bigger and badder things. But I know where my ration comes from. My Rescuer and my Ruler are ready for the famine to continue. And as long as it does, He will continue to give me abundant portions of forgiveness and grace.

~ Emily Spare