You Don’t Have to Carry This...(And Honestly… You Never Were Supposed To)

A devotional based upon Today's Sermon!

Scripture Reading:

“So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them.

But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt

So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.”

Genesis 45:25-28, Genesis 46:1-7

Let’s just start with the obvious:

Some of us walked into today carrying way too much.

And I don’t mean groceries.
I mean

Guilt.
Grief.
Regret.
Trauma.
Expectations.
That one conversation from ten years ago that still lives rent-free in your head.

Congratulations—you’re human.

Jacob knew that feeling.

Good News Can Still Feel Heavy

In Genesis 45, Jacob is told the best news of his entire life:
Joseph is alive.

And what does the Bible say?

“His heart became numb.”

Not joyful.
Not celebratory.
Numb.

Because sometimes truth has to work its way through trauma before it can land.

Just because something is good doesn’t mean it feels good—yet.

Jacob wants to believe.
But he’s been lied to before.
Hurt before.
Broken before.

That’s not unbelief—that’s scar tissue.

Trauma Delays Trust (But It Doesn’t Cancel Hope)

Jacob’s heart hesitates because his history is loud.

And so is yours.

If you’ve ever flinched at love…
Paused before trusting…
Needed proof before hope…

Welcome to the club.

The Bible doesn’t shame Jacob for hesitating.
It simply shows us what finally revives him.

Not words.

Wagons.

God Sends Help Before He Demands Movement

Jacob doesn’t move because of motivation.
He moves because of provision.

The wagons Joseph sends are doing the heavy lifting—literally.

The text says the wagons were sent to carry him.

That’s the miracle.

God doesn’t always take weight off you—sometimes He puts something under you.

You don’t walk to Egypt.
You ride.

And friend, that’s grace.

If God Called You to It, He Will Carry You Through It

Let’s correct a lie real quick.

The Bible does not say God will never give you more than you can handle.

That’s Pinterest theology.

What Scripture actually shows is this:

God will absolutely give you more than you can handle—
so you won’t confuse yourself with Him.

Jacob is 130 years old.
Famine is raging.
The journey is 300 miles.
The family is messy.

And God says: Move.

But God also says: I’m going with you.

“If God’s going to Egypt, I’ll pack scared.”

Worship Is Heaven’s Weight-Relief System

Before Jacob crosses into Egypt, he stops and worships.

Not sings.
Not chills.
Sacrifices.

He gives God something heavy.

And then God speaks.

Worship isn’t emotional fluff.
It’s a transfer of weight.

“Worship is when you stop explaining the load and start releasing it.”

You don’t worship because you feel light.
You worship because you’re heavy.

Wagons Are Already Waiting

Here’s the kicker:

Jacob already had wagons before he believed fully.

God didn’t wait for perfect faith.
He sent provision first.

That means:

• Help might already be around you

• Community might already be available

• Grace might already be moving

You just have to get in.

“You can limp into grace. Just don’t refuse the ride.”

You’re Still Jacob—but God Is Still God

God calls him Jacob.
Then Israel.
Then Jacob again.

Why?

Because transformation doesn’t erase humanity.

You bring you with you—everywhere.

But God brings Himself too.

And that’s the difference.

You Are Being Carried

The story ends like this:

“The sons of Israel carried Jacob… in the wagons Pharaoh had sent.”

Let that sit.

Jacob didn’t finish strong because he powered through.

He finished because he was carried.

And so are you.

If you’re still standing,
still hoping,
still trying,
still praying—

It’s not because you’re tough.

It’s because God has been lifting what you couldn’t.

If you’re here, it’s because you were carried.

So breathe.

You don’t have to carry this.

And you never did.

The Best Is Yet To Come, Wagons Are Here…

Rev. John Roberts