Today’s Devotion
Topic: God Is Working Out A Plan!
Text: Genesis 45: 6- 8a
6 “For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Amen
Joseph was young with powerful dreams about the future. He was so sure of his dreams he couldn’t wait to share with his family. But that was beginning to irritate them, especially when almost all his dreams seemed to suggest they will bow to him. This, coupled with the fact that he’s been telling of his brothers to their dad, made them hate him the more. Things became even worse when Jacob their father, openly showed his much love for Joseph and went ahead to clothe him differently.
When the brothers could not take it anymore, they secretly sort the opportunity to take his life. They said to each other, “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams” (Genesis 37:20). But Reuben intervened and they rather sold him off to strangers headed for Egypt.
Sold into slavery, it had become obvious that all those dreams will never see the light of day. This ‘one’ whose family is supposed to bow to him, is now so far from home and restricted as a slave. He was not going to see any of them again, let alone rule over them. Any ideas about becoming a ruler in the most powerful nation in the world at that time, where he served as a slave, would be absurd and silly.
He gave his best as a servant till his master elevated him as head of slaves, but that was short lived. When he wouldn’t secretly go to bed with his master’s wife, she framed him up and got him locked up in prison for years. It must have felt sad when even the man he tried to help in prison forgot about him after the former got released.
By and by, Pharoah dreams and only Joseph can both interpret and implement the meaning of the dream. He’s elevated to Prime Minister — up above all on the land of Egypt. His brothers come bowing to him so they can buy some grains for their families back home. This they did for a while without knowing it was their brother Joseph whom they sold off. Eventually, when Joseph revealed his identity, they became terrified. But Joseph calmed them down saying, “it was not you who sent me here, BUT GOD.”
REALLY? THIS WAS GOD ALL ALONG? THE DISAPPOINTMENTS, BETRAYAL, REJECTION, SORROW AND PAIN WAS GOD? WHY WOULD HE LET JOSEPH SUFFER SO MUCH, AND FOR WHAT? Joseph himself explained better. He said, “God sent me ahead of you to PRESERVE for YOU A REMNANT ON EARTH AND TO SAVE YOUR LIVES BY A GREAT DELIVERANCE”.
Wow! See how this relates so much with your life. The much you have been through — the pain and sorrows — are all meant for good? If is it, then this is probably not the time to cry like all hope is lost, but rather to “count it all joy though you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ” (James 1:2-3)
Begin to pray; thanking God for the mountains and storms. Ask for the strength to endure till the end because, through it all, God is working out a beautiful plan. Though it tarries, it will SURELY come to pass. Very soon, your song and testimony will be heard across the nations and for generations to come.
May the Lord remain your eternal help now and forevermore. Click: https://youtu.be/4TXn9YUXyT0
NB: 12 days to 4Jband’s incredible “MORIAH PRAISE RELOADED CONCERT.” 3pm sharp @ the CANIS MAJORIS EVENT CENTER- AWOSHIE. GOD WILL MEET YOU THERE.
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