Do you ever reflect on difficult times in your life? Situations where you were betrayed by one you considered a close friend? Times when you may have experienced a strained relationship to the point it has been permanently broken? Or perhaps the loss of a job unexpectedly?
How do we handle those types of things in a manner that glorifies our Lord?
Joseph may give us a clue. Read through Genesis 45:5 – 9 (here @ Bible Gateway). Note especially how Joseph describes his being in Egypt. He attributes the fact that he is in Egypt not to his brothers selling him into slavery, but to God moving him to Egypt for the purpose of the preservation of his family.
He looked for and saw the hand of God in the suffering he endured for a purpose which at first he did not understand. However, it was the integrity of his trust in God that led him to understand the purpose of what was happening to him.
I do not suggest here that we will always understand what God has or is taking us through. I am still processing the last two years. So far I have no clue. However, events that happened 30 years ago are becoming clearer and clearer. Devastating, life-altering events then, are proving to be the foundation of much in which the Lord is assigning us now.
The key lesson for me in considering Joseph’s story and attitude is that in whatever I am experiencing, I must continue to trust my loving, gracious, sovereign Lord. I must trust that He is acting in line with His purposes and character. I may eventually understand; I may not. Regardless, I am to trust.
How do we handle those types of things in a manner that glorifies our Lord?
Joseph may give us a clue. Read through Genesis 45:5 – 9 (here @ Bible Gateway). Note especially how Joseph describes his being in Egypt. He attributes the fact that he is in Egypt not to his brothers selling him into slavery, but to God moving him to Egypt for the purpose of the preservation of his family.
He looked for and saw the hand of God in the suffering he endured for a purpose which at first he did not understand. However, it was the integrity of his trust in God that led him to understand the purpose of what was happening to him.
I do not suggest here that we will always understand what God has or is taking us through. I am still processing the last two years. So far I have no clue. However, events that happened 30 years ago are becoming clearer and clearer. Devastating, life-altering events then, are proving to be the foundation of much in which the Lord is assigning us now.
The key lesson for me in considering Joseph’s story and attitude is that in whatever I am experiencing, I must continue to trust my loving, gracious, sovereign Lord. I must trust that He is acting in line with His purposes and character. I may eventually understand; I may not. Regardless, I am to trust.
No comments:
Post a Comment