Today’s Reading, Genesis 43-45
Focal Scripture: Genesis 45:8 “Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, Lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”
We often think that what happens to us in our life is an accident. We can attribute success and even pain to others in our orbit. What we fail to realize is that we are always exactly where we are supposed to be in the season we are supposed to be there. How do I know this? Because I believe and trust in God’s sovereignty. I trust that he does everything perfectly. I also believe that he is in control of every situation and nothing takes him by surprise. Why do I believe this? Because the Bible teaches this truth and because he is above all things.
In today’s reading Joseph reveals to his brothers that it wasn’t their actions that put him in prison. It was the will of God. God perfectly ordained his circumstances so he would be with Pharaoh and be able to persevere the life of an entire country and race of people. God knew Joseph would not have chosen the life he did on his own, so God placed him around people to prepare his mind and heart to lead an entire generation of souls.
Do you ever struggle with the plans of the Lord in your life? I have lately and it has been frustrating. I wonder why God ordained a very unbiblical situation to move me out of vocational ministry. I loved serving the church and the community full time. I loved preparing messages and events. I saw great success and souls getting saved. However, the Lords plans were to allow me to suffer, be betrayed by friends and push me to do ministry how my heart is wired.
I still don’t fully understand his plan. But I do see how he has placed me in a ministry context that desperately needs the light of Christ. Every single day I get to serve teenagers. I get to work alongside adults who need to see a believer in action and live life with them. I also get to show others how biblical leadership works outside of the church walls. The ministry I have been assigned to for this season is about service not preaching.
This means I have been challenged to put more feet to my faith than ever before. God is removing mental obstacles to biblical ministry. So what about you? Are you trusting the Lord in every season of your life? If you are not, then your faith is weaker than Joseph’s. Joseph was convinced that the Lord called him to Egypt so he could preserve life. That also means the Lord called him to suffer. The Lord had Joseph precisely where he needed him to fulfill the Lords plans.
I challenge you today to trust God no matter what. If you’re suffering, trust his plan. If you have doubts, trust his plan. Gods knows what he is doing in your life even when we don’t understand. Gods plan is our roadmap for success.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Genesis 46-47
