Genesis-166 – Joseph’s Exodus

Hebrews 11:21-22.

 

"By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning his bones." Amen.

 

Joseph’s Funeral and the Hidden Providence of God

We are currently studying the Book of Genesis together. Genesis essentially concludes with the story of Joseph, and today we read a passage from the New Testament, in the Book of Hebrews, where the end of Joseph’s story is recorded. Brothers and sisters, Joseph departed from this world at the very pinnacle of his life. If so, what must his funeral have been like? Considering the funeral of Jacob that preceded it, we can imagine how grand and magnificent Joseph’s funeral must have been. Pharaoh himself, along with all the ministers and the entire people of Egypt, likely gathered to conduct a monumental ceremony.

 

Yet, strangely enough, the Bible—which recorded Jacob’s funeral in such great detail—remains silent about Joseph’s funeral, which undoubtedly would have been even more spectacular. Jacob’s funeral served as a milestone, showing his descendants, the Israelites, how God’s promise would be fulfilled by his burial in the Promised Land. On the other hand, Joseph’s funeral, or rather his end, points toward the story that follows. This is because it had to demonstrate that Joseph and his descendants would prosper in Egypt according to God’s will, but would ultimately return to the Promised Land together. Therefore, instead of recording elaborate funeral procedures, the Bible focuses on Joseph’s final testament.

 

The Bible records the most significant part of Joseph’s life in the New Testament only once, centering on the final words we read in today’s text. Although Joseph’s life is covered deeply in the Old Testament, this is the only place in the New Testament that highlights his final moments. While Jacob’s story ends with the grand scene of blessing his sons, Joseph’s story concludes with a confession of faith left just before his death. In other words, the central point of faith that the Bible emphasizes in the lives of these two men is different.

 

Prosperity in Egypt and the Change of Hope Toward Canaan

Still, we are left with a question: Why was Joseph given such a role? Joseph lived in the foreign land of Egypt for 93 years. The forefathers of faith recorded in the Bible—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—were all individuals who made God’s promise the center of their lives. Joseph, however, seems like someone who tried to forget Canaan.

 

However, during his journey, Joseph was reunited with his brothers and his father, Jacob. Through a series of events, he realized where God’s will truly lay and came to change his hope. What was Joseph’s heart like originally? When Ephraim was born, he confessed, “I will now be fruitful in this place.” At that time, his destination was Egypt. Having received God’s grace, he thought he would forget his brothers, forget his past suffering, and even forget Canaan and his father’s house. He believed God was making him prosper right there in Egypt.

 

God was still in his confession, but contrary to Joseph’s thoughts, God brought him back to his brothers and Jacob. At that very point, Joseph realized once again what was most important in his life and where God’s true will resided.

 

In fact, what Joseph realized was not simply at the level of “Canaan is important.” We often first think about how to go to the Kingdom of God, or Heaven, when we believe in Jesus. This has even led to the expression “Believe in Jesus, Go to Heaven,” but this expression is merely an extremely reduced way of describing the salvation God speaks of.

 

There is a vast spiritual journey between believing in Jesus and reaching Heaven. There is a wealth of content to explain regarding what Heaven is, who Jesus is, and what it means to live by faith. If the entirety of salvation were merely “going to Heaven as long as you attend church,” Joseph’s choice would have been different.

 

If Joseph had truly only realized the importance of the land of Canaan itself, he would have sought to go there immediately upon his death, just as Jacob did. Or perhaps he would have taken his entire family to Canaan before he died—if the land of Canaan itself were the final destination. But to Joseph, Canaan held a meaning beyond just a physical place to go after death. If Jacob is a figure who shows us where our destination is, Joseph is the person who shows us how God leads us until we reach that destination.

 

The Restoration of Eden and a Life Preparing for the Kingdom of God

He knew two things clearly. First was God’s promise that “Israel will be fruitful and multiply in Egypt.” Joseph was certain that this would surely come to pass. Everyone, do you remember where the phrase “be fruitful and multiply” began? It started in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, the promise that they would prosper in the land of Egypt carries a spiritual meaning beyond a mere biological increase in population; it signifies that the restoration of Eden would begin in the midst of Egypt. Joseph was looking at how God would achieve the restoration of Eden through the world, specifically through Egypt.

 

The second was the certainty that “you will surely return to the promised land.” These two promises were immovable realities to Joseph. Therefore, to Joseph, Canaan was not just a physical land to return to at the end of his life. Canaan was the ultimate destination presented by God, and because that destination was clear, Joseph became a signpost showing how we should prepare and live in this land of Egypt.

 

Now, the people of Israel will begin to experience in earnest what the restoration of Eden means in the land of Egypt. They will learn the true meaning of living within God, and at the same time, they will personally experience what it means to hope for the Kingdom of God while undergoing persecution and hardship in the world. They have just entered the beginning stages of that great journey.

 

Today’s Book of Hebrews emphasizes to us what it means to live according to God’s promise and how we should live it out. We are now those who know God’s promise. We believe in Jesus Christ, accept Him as our Savior and Lord, and if we live with the Lord as our life, we are certain that the Kingdom of Eternal Life is prepared for us.

 

Hebrews explains this fact in this way: “There is a kingdom of eternal life. If so, because that kingdom exists, how shall we live today with the God who leads us to that destination?” Joseph’s life poses this very fundamental question to us living today.

 

The Conclusion of Genesis and the Hope of Resurrection That Conquers Death

Brothers and sisters, from this perspective, Joseph’s story no longer remains a mere personal biography. Joseph, lying in a coffin, essentially represents the entirety of Genesis. Reflect on Genesis and recall how the promise given by God transformed the lives of Joseph and Israel. And listen to the message Joseph is delivering from within that coffin.

 

How did Genesis begin? It began with a man in the Garden of Eden, living in God’s presence and walking with Him. How does it end? It ends with a man lying in a coffin, yet still earnestly longing for God’s presence and to live with Him. If you meditate deeply, Joseph, placed in this coffin, represents the entire journey of Genesis most perfectly.

 

The reason is that Joseph’s state vividly demonstrates the bitter consequences of sin. Do you remember what happened immediately after Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden? It was the tragedy of Cain and Abel, where a brother killed a brother. Even when we reach Joseph’s story, this tragedy has not changed. Joseph also almost died at the hands of his brothers. The event of Cain and Abel was not a story buried in the past; it was still repeating in Joseph’s time.

 

Just as Cain shamelessly covered his sin and spoke boldly before God, Joseph’s brothers tried to hide their sins with lies. Because of that deep wound of hatred, Joseph tried to forget his brothers. Despite receiving God’s grace, it seems the best conclusion he could reach was simply to 'erase' the painful memories.

 

From a human perspective, we might say, “You’ve done enough. What do those people have to do with you? It’s enough if only you live well now.” If we met someone in a situation like Joseph’s, we might have advised, “Forget the past. You’re successful now, so just live well here to show them.”

 

But God’s thoughts are truly different from ours. By making Joseph face the brothers who were like enemies, God taught him what true forgiveness is. He allowed him to know what God’s will was and how God’s history flows. As a result, Joseph became a tool of salvation that saved not only himself but also his brothers and countless lives, and the Bible clearly testifies to that great providence.

 

The Essence of the Canaan Promise and the Eternal City of God

Even while acknowledging God’s providence, we still face the terrifying reality of sin. This is because Joseph, too, is now lying in a coffin. Death. Death ultimately swallowed Joseph, who enjoyed the greatest power, wealth, and honor of that time. It is as if death is coldly saying to him, “Joseph, you too cannot escape death.”

 

How did Joseph respond to this stark fact? Remember the testament he left just before his death: “Carry my bones up from here to Canaan.” These words are a magnificent confession of faith, saying, “I am not one bound by death, but one who belongs to Canaan, God’s promise.”

 

What then is the essence of Canaan that God constantly spoke of to Israel? Was there some special treasure hidden in that land? Is it because everything automatically works out once you get there? Think back to the journey of the Exodus. When they finally reached the border of Canaan, their reaction was one of despair. They said, “We are like grasshoppers, we will surely die by their hands.” Canaan was a terrifying reality.

 

The reason Canaan is precious is not that there is something great in the land itself, but because God is with them there. Canaan is a land symbolizing God’s eternal rest, the ‘restoration of Eden.’ It points to the kingdom where we enjoy eternal life with the Lord. Even though Joseph was certain that his soul would be with God after death, the reason he specifically ordered his bones to be moved was that he had the resurrection of the body in mind. He wanted to testify to the Kingdom of God, where He will save not only the soul but also the body, allowing us to live with the Lord forever.

 

Joseph is crying out in the face of death that is trying to break him down: “No, this Canaan, God’s promise, will break your power, O Death. I have my God who has authority stronger than death, and He promises me the kingdom of eternal life.” This is not merely about gaining a better territory. God is trying to show the eternal kingdom through Canaan. This is exactly what the author of Hebrews is telling us. He testifies that the people of faith saw that this world was not their final destination and that even Canaan was a signpost pointing to the heavenly city.

 

This is also why Abraham lived as a stranger. If the land itself were the goal, he would have protested, “God, why do You not give me the land of Canaan You promised?” But Abraham valued the ‘seed (descendant)’ God promised more than the land. It wasn’t that the land was not precious, but because he realized the land was not a permanent place to stay. As the Bible testifies, he looked toward the eternal city and confessed himself to be a ‘stranger.’

 

This realization was not something Abraham gained on his own. It was taught by God through the long process of training—moving between Canaan and Egypt, being rejected, and having to live without owning a single acre of land. “Ah, even this Canaan is not the ultimate destination.” He came to know that while it was the land God promised and an inheritance that would surely be given, he was a being living as a stranger toward a better homeland.

 

The Reality of Faith and an Eschatological Life That Decides Today

Therefore, we find ourselves reconsidering the meaning of the phrase “living by faith.” Living by faith does not end with knowing that the Kingdom of God is my final destination. That kingdom does not only mean some vague future place to be reached after death. Rather, the Kingdom of God becomes a clear standard that decides how I will live today.

 

Of course, the Kingdom of God is a kingdom we will fully enjoy in the future. It is a place where there is no sickness, no sin, and no hatred—only overflowing love. However, that kingdom does not end with us simply looking at it from afar and saying, "Ah, it's over there." The more we truly know what that kingdom is, and the more we understand what it means to live with God, the more our lives today are transformed.

 

To be more precise, as we come to know who God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are, the very way we live today changes. We call this an "eschatological life"—a life where our hope for the Kingdom of God practically reshapes our lives in the present.

 

Perhaps the most fragile part of our faith lies here. We often try to limit our faith to what we can understand, what we find acceptable, or what we can achieve by our own strength today. We think we can only live as much as we know right now.

 

But that is not the case. Your faith and mine are never built solely on the knowledge we have attained today. Faith is not maintained by today’s understanding alone. The knowledge of the eternal kingdom and the power of God’s kingdom are shaping us into who we are today. Even at this very moment, that power is molding and forming us. This is an undeniable spiritual reality.

 

Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped For, the Evidence of Things Not Seen

We hold early morning prayer meetings every Saturday because we desire to pray together with our congregation. Since some may not yet be aware of these meetings, I am mentioning this today as an announcement as well.

 

After the prayer meeting, we share a simple breakfast together. Last week, we were all surprised by the abundance of food prepared. We had muk-sabal (acorn jelly cold soup). It had been so long since I last had it; my memory of the last time I ate it in Korea is quite faint, but I was able to have it here.

 

As you know, muk-sabal is a dish made by mixing acorn jelly with various cold vegetables, pouring in broth, and adding garnishes. While sharing that meal, we engaged in various conversations at the table. Then, though I’m not sure who started it, this question came up: "What is your favorite verse in the Bible?" One of our elders then spoke up: "I love all the words of the Bible, but Hebrews 11:1 especially moves me. Even now, whenever I read that verse, it truly warms my heart." It is a verse we all know well: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

 

Then the elder followed up with a question: "Pastor, but what exactly does the 'substance' mentioned there mean?" As it happened, the passage we were to share today was from Hebrews. So, I didn't say anything at that moment, as I shouldn't give away the core of today’s sermon in advance. In fact, that question was very closely linked to today’s text.

 

The meaning of the word 'substance' becomes relatively clear when we look at different translations. In the Korean Bible, the Gaeyeok-Gaejeong version translates it as 'substance' (reality), while the Sae-beon-yeok translates it as 'conviction.' Both translations are actually plausible. To put the meaning more simply, it is this: "There is something I hope for—the eternal kingdom and eternal things. Faith means that even though what I hope for is not yet visible, it is as real and true as if it were right before my eyes."

 

At the same time, we can say: "It is the very ground of my faith and my conviction." In other words, faith is not a vague expectation; it is a reality (substance) that has already been given to us even if it's not yet seen, and it is a clear conviction that enables us to live through today.

 

A Believer’s Conviction in Trusting Beyond the Visible Reality

Ultimately, what this allows us to see becomes clear in the case of Joseph. He was living in the visible land of Egypt and held visible power. However, he lived by holding onto the things that were not seen—the things he hoped for—rather than those visible things. What was it that he hoped for? For about 70 years after he met Jacob, what he longed for was Canaan, the promise of God.

 

That promise became a reality to him. That promise became his conviction. Therefore, what he relied on was not the present Egypt, nor the power he was enjoying. Friends, think about how difficult this is. It is an extraordinary thing for a person in the highest position of his time—not just an ordinary person—to not rely on the greatest things he possesses, but instead to rely on what he hopes for and confess that it is the true substance and reality.

 

When I talk about this, many people say: "Joseph could think like that because his faith was so exceptional. Pastor, for me, the immediate payment bills are more of a 'reality.' The rent that comes around every month, that is the reality. The bill I see every time I pay insurance—that is my reality. If God would just pay it for me even once, then I could say 'God is the substance of things not seen,' but that has never happened, and I’m struggling every time to pay them. What exactly is this 'substance' you speak of?"

 

I 100% agree with those words. It is true that what is visible to us is our reality. Who could deny that? But my question is this: Fine. What you see appears to be the substance. Then let me ask you: Are the numbers you see, the payments, the visible house and car, the money in your savings account, or your job—are you certain that these are your everything? Is that all there is? Is that truly your life?

 

Do you know who a believer is? They are people who cannot be sure of those things. "Ah, this is not it. I cannot live by this alone." People of the world desire those things, chase after them, and eventually get lost in them. But the believer says: "I cannot do that. It is not enough with just those things." If the visible things are not everything, what meaning would my life have if there weren't something more precious? If money were everything, becoming rich would be the ultimate goal of life; if honor were everything, rising to the highest position would be all that matters. But no. That is not all.

 

Rather, we come to say: "Instead of envying those things, I envy God’s grace. It is amazing to me that I have a heart that wants to know God. It is fascinating that I know this is not everything." How about you? People who confess God cannot, surprisingly, live by putting their total trust only in the visible things of this world. In fact, even those who do not know Jesus vaguely sense that the world is not everything, yet they still live as if it were. We know it more clearly.

 

Of course, you and I often waver. We know all too well that we are weak. How often does the world seem like everything? Because of that, we become uncomfortable and weary, and we waver every time it seems like the world will solve all our problems. But at that very moment, we always hear God's word on one side of our heart: "Really? Can you truly live by depending on that? Will that really solve everything?" Along with that question, another confession rises within us: "No. I need God. I need Thee." Even in moments when everything seems perfect, it is so. The husband has a good job, the children are growing up smart and healthy. The parents are living without great difficulty in their old age, there is no illness, and the home seems peaceful and happy.

 

But at that very moment, that sister confesses that hymn: "I need Thee, oh, I need Thee." Why? It is because, thanks to God and thanks to Jesus, we know that our lives cannot be satisfied by those things alone.

 

Those Called First Among the Heroes of Faith

To show you just how much God loves you and how wonderfully He is treating you, I will offer just this one piece of evidence.

 

Please turn to Hebrews 11. Let's look at verse 1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Then verse 2 says, "For by it the elders obtained a good testimony." Up to this point, it is content we know very well. But please pay attention to verse 3. If we truly grasp the meaning of verse 3, we cannot help but be filled with great emotion.

 

Let’s read verse 3: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." Verse 3 begins with the declaration "By faith." Then verse 4 also begins with "By faith" and introduces Abel, the man of faith. This is why we commonly call Hebrews 11 the "Hall of Faith," thinking of the list of heroes including Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.

 

But do you know who is mentioned first among these formidable warriors of faith? Is it Abel? Listen carefully to verse 3 once more: "By faith 'we' understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God." Who appears? It is 'we.' It mentions us even before Abel.

 

God has placed your name at the very top of the list of faith’s warriors. Why would He do that? Because you are those who have not merely looked at God's promise from afar, but have actually met Jesus Christ, the Savior who redeemed your life. Because you are beings who have gained new life through Christ and live because of Him.

 

The Bible records that the elders who follow "obtained a testimony but did not receive the promise." In other words, they were those who lived before Jesus Christ came, hoping for the Christ who was to come. But who are we? We are people who live lives of confirmation, looking back at the Christ who has already come. We know as reality that the Lord died for me and that I have come to live by that power.

 

We are the ones who are held and guided by Jesus Christ, living with Him and enjoying that promise. Although we walk the same path of faith as the elders of the Old Testament, God has placed us in the very front seat, 'Number One,' in that rank of faith. Since God is treating us with such honor, we must never lose our hearts to other things or get distracted. We are the ones who must live out this very moment, solely by faith.

 

The Power of Resurrection Faith That Crushes Death

This is why Joseph, lying in a coffin, was able to leave such a bold confession. "I declare by faith. Where I live now is not Egypt, but the country I long for—the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of resurrection and life. Therefore, move my bones to the Promised Land." This command is not merely a request to relocate his remains. Even though his body faced death in Egypt, he was declaring that he was not a being subject to death but belonged only to eternal life.

 

Ultimately, Joseph neutralized the power of death through faith. Faith is the power that awakens us from being possessed by visible reality, letting us realize that visible things can never rule over us and that they are not the entirety of our lives. Joseph’s final confession is like a proclamation: "Death, what you are trying to swallow is only the appearance, not the true me. Rather, you are the one who will face death." Paradoxically, the death that approaches a believer is the event where death itself perishes. Because our true existence is within that eternal life where we enjoy life forever with God.

 

After Joseph passed away, a long period of 400 years flowed by. In Exodus 13, this record appears: "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.'" Even after 400 years had passed, Moses and Israel did not forget Joseph’s testament. It was because they knew that the promise Joseph longed for was not just a legacy of the past, but a present 'reality' that gave them life and showed them the path to take.

 

Because they were certain that God's will would be fulfilled through them, their lives were changed, and they walked the path of the wilderness following that faith. Finally, the Book of Joshua testifies to the fulfillment of this promise by recording that Joseph’s bones were buried in the land Jacob had bought. From the day he met Jacob and realized God’s promise, Joseph lived a life captivated by God's plan, will, and promise for over 70 years.

 

Transformation into a New Being Captured by the Kingdom of God

You have also met the Lord. Before you, Jesus' disciples also met the Lord in that way. At that time, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were captivated by the eternal kingdom. What exactly were they captivated by? What captured their hearts was Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Kingdom of God, and the joy and power that the kingdom gives. A wonderful transformation, in which the Kingdom of God completely changed their entire lives, took hold of them.

 

It wasn’t that all the disciples went out everywhere to preach the Gospel like apostles. However, they lived differently than before when working at home, at their jobs, or meeting people. It didn’t matter if their status was slave or master, man or woman, old or young. Because for anyone who met Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God had already begun within them.

 

They were people captured by the Kingdom of God. They began to dream God's dreams rather than the personal ambitions they once had. That dream was not just a vague future illusion, but the conviction that they were living out the great reality of the 'Kingdom of God' right here and now. It was because they finally realized they had become those who live by faith.

 

This is also the reason why the disciples' daily lives had to change. Of course, they also had difficult and dark days, and there were trials that could drain all their heart and strength. How often did even the Apostle Paul feel discouraged before unexpected trials? He had to flee many times and suffered many hardships. However, Paul never gave up and confessed until the end that God was with him.

 

How was that possible? We know well how weak Paul had become. He even went so far as to say, "Lord, now I feel like I am dying." The reason he, who was so exhausted, could stand up again was never his own ability. It was because the Kingdom of God was with him. God is not someone who stands far away and just beckons, saying, "From now on, come to me with your own strength." Paul knew deeply how glorious a life was when the Holy Spirit, working within him, accompanied him.

 

The Grace of God Who Surely Visits and the Change of Destiny

Brothers and sisters, please listen once more to the testament left by Joseph. I hope these words resonate deeply in your hearts. Closing the great chapter of Genesis, Joseph adjures the children of Israel: "God will surely visit you. When He leads you out of here, carry my bones with you." These are truly words of great comfort.

 

Here, the Bible translates it as "God will surely visit (care for) you." However, notice the expression Moses used when re-quoting Joseph’s testament in Exodus 13. Moses says, "God will surely visit you." In Genesis, it is expressed as 'caring/visiting,' and in Exodus, it is expressed as 'visiting,' but the original Hebrew uses the same word.

 

While it is translated as 'care' because the fact that God looks after the people of Israel gives us great comfort, the more essential and accurate meaning of this word is 'to seek' or 'to visit.' it is a powerful declaration that God Himself will come to find you. Furthermore, the Hebrew tense of this word is the imperfect. This is not just a notice that He will come at some point in the future, but it signifies the work of God that is constantly continuing even at this very moment. Thus, it was translated as 'caring for you' with the meaning 'God is constantly seeking you.'

 

The Old Testament scholar Bruce K. Waltke explains the meaning of this word even more specially. It is an expression of the Lord's will that goes beyond simple care to "I will change your destiny" and "I will make your life new." It is a promise that God will come to find you, keep you in His hands from the beginning to the end of your life, and never leave you alone. It is a holy declaration that He will constantly teach you that He is your Father and your God, making you His child, being with you in every moment of your life, and changing the course of your life. By God's visiting, we now come to live a completely new destiny changed by the Kingdom of God.

 

The Life of a People Who Truly Long for the Kingdom of God

Today, we also long for the Kingdom of God. We eagerly wait for the eternal heaven, the new heaven and the new earth, to come. It is because the world we live in is so wearying. Facing the reality where violence, war, irrational abuse of power, and endless greed are rampant, our hearts are heavy when we think of the future our children and we must live in. So many people ask me, "Pastor, when on earth will Jesus come? Isn't it about time He came now?" I fully understand that earnest heart, but on the other hand, there is something I must ask.

 

Is the reason you are waiting for the Lord's coming right now truly because you fervently long for the Kingdom of God? Or is it just a grumbling desire to escape from this unfair and violent world because reality is too painful? Is it not the heart that says, "It's just so hard, I wish even Jesus would come quickly"?

 

Do we truly yearn for the Kingdom of God? Do you know what kind of place that kingdom is and why we should long for it so much? Do you know the true glory of that kingdom that God has allowed? Are you truly interested in, loving, and longing for that glorious appearance where we reach the stature of the fullness of Jesus Christ, rejoicing with God and enjoying Him forever?

 

Dearly beloved, if we truly long for that kingdom, it is inconceivable that such hope would not change our lives. That hope surely changes our lives and destinies. It is because the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord, has already come into us. Right now, He is here with you.

 

Unfortunately, however, we often live ignoring the Lord who is standing at the door and knocking, like the Laodicean church in Revelation. We confess Jesus with our lips and say we believe in God, but in reality, we still live as if we are the masters of our own lives. Therefore, no matter how much we learn and know, we never experience the glory, holiness, and joy of the Kingdom of God on this earth—things so beautiful they are beyond description.

 

We keep the Lord standing outside the door and live with the mindset of "let's just eat well and live well among ourselves" with the small things we have. Yet we live this life constantly complaining, being dissatisfied, and repeatedly fighting with jealousy and envy. With such a appearance, how can we say that we know the Kingdom of God and that we are the people of the Kingdom of God?

 

Thanksgiving and Victory as Those Belonging to the Eternal Kingdom

Brothers and sisters, if we truly yearn for the Kingdom of God, our mornings cannot help but be different. If we truly know the One who knows my voice, heart, and all my circumstances the moment I call Him "Father," the One who pours the endless love of Jesus Christ into me who lacks love, and the One who rejoices to walk in step with me today as well. We will start the day by confessing deep gratitude to the God who gave us life, going beyond the sense of duty that "it's Sunday, so I should go to church."

 

Even if difficult and arduous tasks lie before us today, and even if the stuffiness and painful wounds remain in a corner of our hearts, we can proclaim this: "O Lord, I remember myself as one belonging to the Kingdom of God. I look at my appearance as I will be praising the Lord before that throne of glory." Because this is the reality of the things we hope for, we can rise again, praising even in the midst of present pain.

 

Now, I want to clearly know who I am today. I am no longer a person hanging onto petty pride, nor a being trapped in the shadow of hatred, competition, and death. I am not a helpless person floundering in the unfathomable storms of the world, but a proud citizen of the Kingdom of God and a child of God, one who overcomes the world in Christ.

 

Therefore, Lord, I will fill this day with gratitude. Expecting the Lord who prepares for tomorrow, I will rejoice in the Lord who guides me. I look forward to what kind of path my God and my Holy Spirit, who have come to me and are constantly coming to me even now, will guide me on tomorrow. I will wait with an expectant heart to see what kind of light of creation He will shine in every dark corner of my life, and what kind of joy of creation He will restore in my heart.

 

O Lord, I am a person belonging to the eternal Kingdom of God. Passing through today, I will live with the Lord forever, even tomorrow.

 

Let us pray.

Lord, what could be a true comfort to us? No matter how much we push ourselves, what could soften this stubborn heart even a little?

 

Lord, we pray that the beloved people of the Lord will not fix their eyes on today's humble appearance, but will look at the future self that God has promised. May the glorious kingdom we long for become our reality and firm conviction within faith today, and may we enjoy that grace.

 

Help us to deeply realize that "I am not just the present me, but 'the me in God,' and I am not one who ends here, but 'the me belonging to the eternal Kingdom of God.'" We believe that this very truth gives us life today, puts a song on our lips, and pours joy into our souls. Thus, in any circumstance, let us not be disappointed or frustrated with ourselves, but rise again every morning to live a life of life.

 

Help us not to forget that we are people belonging to the Kingdom of God, people who see that kingdom by faith, and people who live that kingdom by faith. Let us live by overcoming this world sufficiently with that power of faith. Lord, we earnestly desire the Lord.

 

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who is our life. Amen.