The Refinery of God's Word

God's ways are truly higher than man's ways, and His thoughts are beyond our wildest expectation, imagination, or explanation.  The life of Joseph is a good example of this.  As a young man, God revealed the future to Joseph through a couple of dreams.  God showed him the end, but did not reveal the time frame or the process.  His brothers hated Joseph because of the special treatment he received from his father Jacob.  Fueled by bitterness and envy, they sold Joseph to traders heading to Egypt.  If you think Joseph was at peace to be sold because "it was all in God's plan," you are incorrect.  Tormented by guilt years later his brothers said to one another in Genesis 42:21, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us."

In anguish of soul, Joseph was brought to Egypt and sold as a slave.  After being promoted in Potiphar's house, he was falsely accused of rape and imprisoned.  As the years passed, I am sure at times Joseph questioned the reality of God's word given to him in his youth.  He found favour with the warden in prison, and was placed in charge of the inmates.  But was this role the fulfillment of those dreams?  I am sure he wondered.  Being an imprisoned slave in a foreign country because his brothers hated and sold him was no doubt a grievous trial.  Yet Joseph continued to trust God and sought to be used by Him.  A butler and baker were troubled by dreams they had on the same night, and with God's guidance gave them a true interpretation.  When the butler was restored to serving Pharaoh, he forgot all about Joseph.  Not only was Joseph imprisoned, but also forgotten!

Two years after interpreting the butler's dream, Pharaoh had a series of dreams which troubled him.  There was none in Egypt who was able to interpret them.  The butler was reminded of Joseph and recommended him to come before Pharaoh.  After crediting God for any ability to interpret dreams, Joseph proceeded to give a correct interpretation and offer counsel concerning the future.  That same day Joseph was permanently released from prison and made second in command to Pharaoh.  The life of Joseph was far more than a fortuitous series of events, but a life God ordained from the beginning.  Joseph was instrumental in saving the nation of Egypt from starvation, and also providing food for his family who later came to stay in Egypt during the famine. 

Hundreds of years later, it was written in Psalm 105:17-19 from God's perspective:  "He sent a man before them-- Joseph--who was sold as a slave. ¹⁸ They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. ¹⁹ Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him."  What Joseph's brothers intended for evil, God intended for good and to save many people from death.  Joseph being sold was God's way of sending.  His time in prison was not pleasant, nor should we think it was not a time of suffering and affliction.  His feet hurt from the iron leggings he wore as a prisoner.  But God's Word - spoken to him through a dream and no doubt confirmed through solitary talks with God - tested and tried the faith of Joseph.  In the dungeon a man was prepared for the palace, and God's Word was ultimately fulfilled.

Do you know that it is the same for all who trust in God?  Perhaps God has revealed something of your future to you, yet at the moment it seems impossible!  We can be easily tempted to doubt that we heard God in the first place and it was wishful thinking.  During the trials and difficulties, in spite of unexpected turns and apparent setbacks, God's word is being fulfilled.  Do you believe that?  Are you willing to trust God no matter your situation?  Many faithful followers of God were proved by God's Word long before they were promoted.  God uses the difficult situations of this life to refine us for future use according to His divine plans.  What man intends for evil, God redeems for our good and the good of others.  Give glory to God for His marvelous works!