God's ways are higher than ours, and His ways are far better too. God has plans and purposes He is faithful to fulfil, redeeming things meant for evil for good. What we perceive as setbacks and obstacles God makes most fruitful as He brings us to His desired end.
The life of Joseph provides a great example of this. In his youth God gave him two dreams recorded in scripture whose interpretations were understood: God would elevate Joseph to a position above that of his father, mother, and brothers though the eleventh of twelve sons. His brothers hated him and cast him into a pit, he was sold as a slave in Egypt, falsely accused of sexual assault, and then thrown into prison where he remained for years. All his life seemed caught in a downward trajectory. Yet in his trials Joseph continued to look beyond his circumstances in fear of the God who ordained them. Far removed from family and the familiar, Joseph trusted God.
Psalm 105:16-19 gives insight into God's providential plan: "Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. 17 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." Verse 17 says God sent a man before Israel and his children. His brothers desired to murder Joseph, but God prevented this and had him sold as a slave. He was purchased by slave traders, made a slave in Potiphar's house, then laid in irons. From the age of 17 until he was 30 years old, Joseph was deprived of all freedoms he once enjoyed. All the while the dreams he had as a teen were in the back of his mind, reminding him of what God had said. Until God fulfilled His word, the seeming disconnect between God's promise to him and his situation tested him: would Joseph give room to despair, or would his faith remain in God alone?
There are many ways God uses to test and refine our character, and a couple of means often employed are painful trials and the passage of time. Will we trust God in the midst of pain and uncertainty? As the days and decades fly by will we continue to cling to the promise of God which seems impossible? God brought Joseph from the pit to the palace in His time. The lessons Joseph learned as a slave served him well as a ruler, and God granted him wisdom and discernment to prosper in seasons of abundance and famine. No matter the circumstances, God remained sovereign and worthy of reliance. Joseph needed refinement before God's plans would be fulfilled, and it is true for us as well.
What seemingly impossible promise has God made to you? There will be temptations to doubt and to speed along the process by leaning on our own understanding, by doing what seems best to us. Refuse this temptation, to take matters into your own hands. The truth of God's word which seems to contradict reality works to refine us in preparation for the fulfilment. Trust the word of the LORD, that the doors Jesus opens none can shut, and the doors Jesus shuts none can open. It is only in His strength we can walk through the door, and He will accomplish His plans concerning us today and always.
The life of Joseph provides a great example of this. In his youth God gave him two dreams recorded in scripture whose interpretations were understood: God would elevate Joseph to a position above that of his father, mother, and brothers though the eleventh of twelve sons. His brothers hated him and cast him into a pit, he was sold as a slave in Egypt, falsely accused of sexual assault, and then thrown into prison where he remained for years. All his life seemed caught in a downward trajectory. Yet in his trials Joseph continued to look beyond his circumstances in fear of the God who ordained them. Far removed from family and the familiar, Joseph trusted God.
Psalm 105:16-19 gives insight into God's providential plan: "Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. 17 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." Verse 17 says God sent a man before Israel and his children. His brothers desired to murder Joseph, but God prevented this and had him sold as a slave. He was purchased by slave traders, made a slave in Potiphar's house, then laid in irons. From the age of 17 until he was 30 years old, Joseph was deprived of all freedoms he once enjoyed. All the while the dreams he had as a teen were in the back of his mind, reminding him of what God had said. Until God fulfilled His word, the seeming disconnect between God's promise to him and his situation tested him: would Joseph give room to despair, or would his faith remain in God alone?
There are many ways God uses to test and refine our character, and a couple of means often employed are painful trials and the passage of time. Will we trust God in the midst of pain and uncertainty? As the days and decades fly by will we continue to cling to the promise of God which seems impossible? God brought Joseph from the pit to the palace in His time. The lessons Joseph learned as a slave served him well as a ruler, and God granted him wisdom and discernment to prosper in seasons of abundance and famine. No matter the circumstances, God remained sovereign and worthy of reliance. Joseph needed refinement before God's plans would be fulfilled, and it is true for us as well.
What seemingly impossible promise has God made to you? There will be temptations to doubt and to speed along the process by leaning on our own understanding, by doing what seems best to us. Refuse this temptation, to take matters into your own hands. The truth of God's word which seems to contradict reality works to refine us in preparation for the fulfilment. Trust the word of the LORD, that the doors Jesus opens none can shut, and the doors Jesus shuts none can open. It is only in His strength we can walk through the door, and He will accomplish His plans concerning us today and always.
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