On reflection over the last 27 years
as a Christian I must confess that although at times my faith seemed to be strong
I have lost my way far too often. Be that as it may, those detours as
heart-breaking as they may have been have also taught me many valuable truths
along the way…
The thought that now seem to resonate
deep within my mind would be “faith” or the lack thereof!
Of late I have had the privilege of once
again going through the book of Genesis with my better half Lisa and have
noticed the vast difference of my application to faith in God, to those
mentioned in that amazing book. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all understood what it
meant to live by faith; Joseph the son of Jacob, in type, a great forerunner to
the person of Jesus Christ; a man who God blessed abundantly and yet it came at
a very high price. But it was worth it all! Oh, if only I could now apply a
small portion of his commitment and faith to the only true God! My God!
Here was a son who was favoured by his
father Jacob and for this received great trouble throughout his lifetime. And
yet he understood this verse; “And we know that for those who
love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according
to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) - Although because of their
jealousy his brothers sold him into slavery, God turned it around for his good.
His whole family saved from starvation because of that one selfish act; “Oh,
the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33)
Joseph a man who loved God and was loved by God…
we must remember that God’s ways are far above our ways; we have a puny brain
in comparison. God undoubtable knows what He is doing. When people make statements
like, “if your God is a God of love, why does he let rape and the like happen
or why do such atrocities’ happen to innocent children?” Our God is perfectly
in control of all things and a day of reckoning is just over the horizon. I
would not for one minute with any certainty answer those questions as if I have
the answers, but of this one thing I am convinced; God has a perfect plan which
He is in the throes of unfolding. Trust we must, let us learn from Joseph’s
example…
At a young age, when God, through a dream told
Joseph that His eleven brothers would bow down to him, they hated him even more
for it and sold him into slavery. From there he once again found favour from
God as Potiphar, an officer of pharaoh, bought him and everything that Joseph
did prospered, for God was with him and Potiphar promoted him to ruler over his
entire household. But as time passed the officers wife enticed Joseph to lie
with her, but Joseph would have none of it. Because she did not get her way
with him she accused him of attempted rape. He was then demoted and thrown into
jail where he then once again found favour from God and was elevated to overseer
the prisoner’s. Two of those prisoners’ then had troubling dreams and Joseph in
turn interpreted them correctly asking the cupbearer to remember him when he
was re-instated to pharaoh’s house. Although the cupbearer once again found
favour from pharaoh he forgot Joseph. It took another two years before God
decided to once again intervene with favour. Pharaoh then had a dream and he
called all the magicians and wise men in Egypt to interpret his dreams, they couldn’t!
Only then did the chief cupbearer remember Joseph. God, through Joseph then interprets
pharaoh’s dream. Once again God elevates Joseph’s position as second in charge throughout
the whole Land of Egypt; from slave, to prison and then to second in charge
under a foreign king. That is the God we serve! Who could ever have seen that
coming?
Joseph then reunites with his brothers, the same
who sold him into slavery and he forgives them with these words and with this
understanding; “As for you, you meant
evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people
should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)
Trust in our God believer,
do not question Him as if He has been caught napping, that has never happened
and never will. Praise His glorious name!
Signing off
Tyrone
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