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.
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