Genesis 50 essentially recaps the life of Joseph and also his father, Jacob. It summarizes the high and low points in their lives and it clearly demonstrates how faithful God is throughout their years on earth. Both father and son lived peacefully and in the circle of God's grace and mercy.
Joseph did not dwell on the negative events that happened in his life. He did not bear any grudges against his brothers for selling him into slavery. He did not fault the cupbearer for conveniently forgetting all about the aid he extended to him, aid which restored him back into the graces of his employer, the king. Instead, Joseph focused on his faith in God and His promises. He believed that God had a role for him to play in the overall fate of, not just his family, but the entire country. Joseph believed that the dreams he had as a young boy and the dreams he interpreted for the cupbearer and the baker were confirmation of God's purpose for his life. The fact that whatever pit and dungeon he was thrown into, God somehow found a way for him to be freed from those circumstances and consequently be noticed, appreciated, promoted and recognized. He believed that all the events that happened in his life, all led exactly to where God wanted him to be. Whether he got there in a circuitous route, in a convoluted turn of events, did not matter, at all. God was totally in control of his life.
Therefore, fear not, my friend, the circumstances that you are currently in. Instead, rejoice! Through you and in spite of you, God will bring about something beautiful and totally unexpected. If you feel downtrodden, forgotten, overwhelmed, tested, disappointed and discouraged, do not worry because God is in control. Continue to look to Him for your protection, thank Him for your provision, worship and honor Him with no reservation, for in His perfect timing, He will bring you up and out of your current circumstances. Like Joseph, simply believe. God has not left the cockpit. He is still flying your plane.
Thank you for this reminder today that God is in control no matter what unexpected circumstances or momentary stress that I face! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteWoah, Joseph was surely a wise man. Genesis 50:20-21, Joseph says unto his brothers who feared he would old a grudge after Jacob (their dad) passes away, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the savng of many lives. So then, dont be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.". And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
ReplyDeleteWise, because he mentions God as "The Great Intender" which denotes the Lords sovereignty in his view, which further indicates his fear of the Lord.
The night I came to know the Lord in 2002, i sought a bible. I remember very vividly even to this day. I didnt own a bible, but i have always seen a stack of bibles in passing (that i never thought i would ever touch for God was a fairytale and Christians were brainwashed lunatics) near our kitchen pantry, collecting dust. I rushed down to get it, excitedly, and opened it up on the spot. The first verse i came to was Isaiah 41:9, continued reading until verse 13 and stopped. It was all i needed at that moment. I went back to my room where i had accepted Jesus as Lord and had repented just 10 minutes prior.
In that passage i read, it reads, "do not fear/dont be afraid, for i am with you."
The current passage of Genesis we are reflecting on includes the similar grace bestowed upon Josephs brothers. Though the brothers did him wrong (like myself, prior to being born-again), in their moment of repentance unto Joseph, they threw themselves down before him and said, "We are your slaves.". Then Joseph says to them, "Dont be afraid....i will provide for you and your children."
Like Joseph to his brothers, so was the Lord unto me. Despite myself, He has reassured me and spoke kindly to me.
Good stuff. Going down memory lane! Thank you for the upkeep of insight into the Living Word!