“And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Genesis 45:7-8, ESV)
The account of the life of Joseph is one of the most beautiful in all of Scriptures. We find his story in the book of Genesis, where 14 chapters are dedicated to tracing the tough, but redemptive circumstances of his life. If you have never heard or read the story of Joseph, I would highly encourage you to do so!
Has anything ever happened to you or someone you love where you go so far as to question what God is doing? In fact, was it so bad that you questioned if God even loved you? Even more than that, have you ever been in such a dire situation as to doubt God’s existence?
For us all, the question is not if, but when trials, temptations, and hard times will hit.My competitive golf career came to an abrupt halt in 2009. I have a stomach disease and from that several other complications come and go as they wish, particularly kidney stones. It had become apparent that I could no longer play at a high level of golf.
I was devastated. I didn’t know where to turn. I didn’t know what to do. Some questions came to mind during that time (and verbalized to some people): Why would God let this happen? Is God good? Does God not love me? Does God not want me to succeed? God, do you even exist?
It is a long story, but God has done much in my life through this tough time (which continues for me). God is good, but he allows us to go through hard times in order for him to be glorified, for us to be humbled, or for others to come to know Jesus through our story. Through God’s grace, all three of these has been true of the story that God is writing in my life.
Back to Joseph’s story, he was thrown in a pit by his brothers, left for dead, then sold into slavery, given great responsibility, and then thrown into prison for a false accusation. But then, after proving himself trustworthy and being able to interpret dreams, Joseph was lifted to second in command of all of Egypt. There are many more details you’ll need to read for yourself…
What was God up to? Today’s passage is Joseph speaking to his brothers, who had come to Egypt begging for food during a famine. After keeping his identity secret to them for some time, he finally revealed himself.
In the text today, we see two reasons why God allowed Joseph to endure so much. First, God was preserving Joseph as the “remnant,” one in the direct line of the Savior, King Jesus, who was to come. God knew that through Joseph, many would come to know Jesus, many would profess Christ, and many would enter the gates of heaven.
Second, Joseph, through the help and strength of God, saved many lives from his powerful position. While Egypt experienced seven years of feast and good times, God told Joseph that seven years of famine would follow. Because of this, Joseph filled Egypt’s storehouses and was able to save many lives, including those of his own family.
For us all, the question is not if, but when trials, temptations, and hard times will hit. But be encouraged today. I can’t promise you that God will take away your difficulties or that they will never happen again. I can, though, promise you this: the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph is a good God who is watching over you. My prayer is that God will be glorified through your struggle, that you (or someone around you) might be humbled, and that others will come to a saving knowledge of Christ because of what you are going through!
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Rosson Anderson
September 27, 2017
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.