The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. Genesis 39:23b (NLT)
I love to read and one of my favorite fiction genres is action/thrillers. The story of Joseph in Genesis captures my imagination in a similar way. The twists and turns of the plot keep me glued to the story wondering what is going to happen next between the good guys and the bad guys. Typically, the bad guys are unknown to the hero but in this story, they are his brothers. Jealousy, vindictiveness, deceit, and cover up define their actions and as we watch them sell Joseph into slavery, ship him off to a foreign country, and lie to their father. Joseph ends up in Egypt, his problems continue and he lands in jail. What could be a worse fate? And to top it off, his family and fellow prisoners think he is weird because he can interpret dreams. I am sure this chain of events was not on Joseph’s “to-do” list. A rational person might question what God had in mind for this young man. However, the story does not end with doubt but with promise. Joseph trusted God and even when his future looked bleak, his good work habits, industriousness, and loyalty brought him positive attention. Eventually even Pharaoh was impressed with the young man and his abilities and appointed him as ruler over the land. Without that authority, when a severe famine hit, he would not have been able to rescue his family. God does not make mistakes.
At times, we may question what is going on around us. Life is not fair. It is too hard. Where is God? We question but we cannot even see around a corner let alone months into the future. God alone is the master of our destiny and all He calls us to do it to trust Him. Joseph did not expect fame, nor did he seek it. But God placed him in a position of power for His honor and glory. I encourage you to read Joseph’s story as encouragement for your walk. If you feel all alone, remember, God is in control.
1/17/09