Please take a breath. Relax. Read. Think. Listen with your heart. God may have a Word for you.In my Bible read this morning, I enjoyed hearing of how God worked in Joseph's life. The story is so real for today. God is actively involved in each of our lives. Sadly, evil in the world is also actively involved in our lives. Joseph's life has a recurring theme. Satan comes along and kicks him in the head and God comes along and blesses him in spite of his physical circumstances.
Joseph is blessed by his father with a beautiful Technicolor coat. His brother's jealously sell him into slavery. Joseph is blessed to become the right hand to a prosperous rich master. The master's wife wants him and accuses him of rape. God blesses Joseph in prison with a job as assistant to the jail keeper. Evil keeps him there when his case is not appealed to the King. God then blesses Joseph with dream interpretation ability. This gets him out of prison and becomes the right hand to the king. Every event in Joseph's life is but a rehearsal for the next blessing of God and the next head kick by the evil ones.
Don't be depressed! The story does not end there. Be encouraged! Joseph in the end is blessed with the opportunity to save his entire family from destruction. Without the head kickings, Joseph may not have ever experienced God's perfection in his life. Evil may be attacking you in your marriage and family. God knows it. Believe that God is who He says He is. God will do what He says He will do. God will bless you.
Follow Joseph's example. Believe that God is greater than the evil in the world. Believe that God knows of your struggle. Believe that God will take the bad and turn it to good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. Believe that God is a God of abundance. With obedience He will perfect His will and purpose in your life. You may live a life of freedom regardless of the prison you may find yourself in.
2 comments:
I love the story of Joseph. It's a beautiful picture of forgiveness. Joseph chose to forgive his brothers and love them inspite of their evil ways. What a great picture of God's grace and mercy to us everyday.
THanks, Arch, Jo.
So true, Jo.
At times it is tough being Christ-like. Joseph would never have experienced God's abundance without forgiveness. God calls us to the same forgiveness toward our family and friends.
Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children."
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