God has a plan for your troubles

We are still studying the life of Joseph in our worship services at church. We will be looking at Genesis chapter 45 this coming Sunday. I looked ahead and continue to be amazed at Gods working in Joseph's life. And God wants to do an amazing work in our life as well. 

There are several lessons here in chapter 45 but the lesson that catches my eye quickly is how God had a plan for the trials and difficulties that we go through. 

Remember, it was Joseph's brothers who were jealous of him and wanted to kill him. However, through Gods providence his life is spared and he is sold into slavery in Egypt. Through God ordained events Joseph rises to second in command in Egypt and through his leadership Egypt and others survive a severe famine. But notice.  Joseph recognizes it is God who orchestrated all of this. 

In verse 5 he reveals himself to his brothers and tells them not to be upset that they sold him into slavery for God sent me before you to preserve life. Joseph realizes God had a plan through the trial. He was using a trial to bring about His perfect plan. In verses 7-8 he again gives credit to God for sending him to Egypt. Not the brothers. What they meant for evil, God used for good. 

We need that perspective when we go through trials. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 that God can bring good out of anything. Not everything that happens in our life is good. Terrible things happen. But God is still in control. And because he loves us he will bring good out of it. 

God uses trials for our good and for the good of others. 

You may be going through a trial right now. Things may look very bleak. You may not see how any good can come out of the circumstances you are facing. As you go through these times remember Joseph. Look at the trials that he went through and then remember how God used those trials. So much good came out of those trials. God was still in control and his plan and purpose for those trials could not be defeated. It's the same way with your trials. God loves you and his purpose for your life will not be defeated if you continue to follow his plan. So in those dark days study his promises and claim them. Let his love wash over you and trust him. He loves you! And he is still in control!  

Gods in charge

We have been studying the life of Joseph in our church. As we go through Genesis there is one thing that stands out in my mind.  God was in complete control of Joseph's life. And ours as well!

In Genesis 37 Joseph has made his brothers mad enough to want to kill him. They had a plan to do away with him, but God used one of his brothers to intervene and convince his other brothers to throw him in a well. Reuben then was going to rescue Joseph later. God used Reuben to intervene and spare Joseph's life. Of course they later sell him to some Ishmaelites who then take him to Egypt. There he becomes the personal servant of the head of the "Secret Service". He was very respected and became head of the house of his master. Unfortunately he is falsely accused of rape and is thrown in prison. But God is still in charge! He could of have been executed. But God doesn't allow this to happen. One of his fellow prisoners is released. Joseph asks his fellow prisoner to remember him and try and get him out. But he is forgotten and continues to remain in prison. God is still in control. At the proper time he is remembered when Pharaoh has a dream that no one can interpret. Joseph interprets the dream and is raised to second in command in Egypt. Through his leadership, Egypt and Joseph's family is saved during an extreme drought. 

As I read this I am amazed at how God works in his life. How God is in control. Joseph could have lost his life several times. God intervened every time. Joseph languished in prison for some time. He may have felt abandoned by God but God was still with him every step of the way. And when the right time came God allowed him to be released. 

This has significant implications for our own lives. I try to control my destiny in many ways. I try to be as safe as possible with the goal of living a long life. But the truth is God is in control of our lives. He knew beforehand when we would be born and he knows when we will pass in to eternity. (Psalms 139:16)

There is comfort in that! Our lives on this earth will only end when God allows it. No one and nothing can take our life before God is ready to receive us into his prescence! We should rest in this and live life fearlessly as we trust God and his control of our lives.

But there are many languishing in some type of prison just as Joseph was. Not a prison with iron bars but other prisons. I know of people in financial prisons. They are not sure of where their next paycheck is coming from. Bills are coming and money is not in the bank to cover those bills. Some are in the prison of loneliness. Some are single and trying to wait patiently for the right person to come along. Others have lost their lifelong spouse through divorce or death. The kids may not be around and their nights are sleepless and the days long. 

There are lots of prisons and for many of us the wait to be delivered seems long, just as Joseph's wait was. As we go through these times it is helpful to look at Joseph's life and know that God is still in control and that deliverance will come. In his timing. Not ours. And his timing is always best. So as we wait, trust him. Lean on him. Read the scriptures. Pray and pray often. Fellowship with believers that can walk with you through those times. We are to bear one another's burdens. And support one another as we go through those prisons. 

So rest in Gods love and trust him. He will deliver you from whatever prison you may be in.