Joseph.

So, lets talk about Jospeh. Joseph the favorite son, the hated brother, the slave, the pure servant, the prisoner, and the leader over all the land. I am blown away by his story in Genesis 37 to 50. Where to even begin with all I have learned from him...

I love how clearly this story portrays the providence of God. He is always there but sometimes He is very subtle. Throughout most of Genesis, God's role in Isaac and Abraham's lives is seemingly loud. Whereas, in Jospeh's life, God almost seems silent. He does not speak and walk (physically) with Joseph, yet Joseph is so faithful and so dedicated. How encouraging is that?

The story of Joseph portrays so clearly that THE WILL OF GOD CANNOT BE THWARTED. As humans we are responsible for decisions but God's will CANNOT be stopped. He intends for things to happen. Yes, I have a responsibility to be obedient and make choices but even if my family sells me, I am put in prison, forgotten about, or in the middle of a great famine, His will WILL be done. I love being reminded that His purpose is not dependent on people or deterred by people. He is NEVER surprised. His will is NEVER thwarted. As Platt says, 'God has this thing rigged!' Praise God. May I grasp the fact that GOD IS SOVEREIGN. Trust and obey... that's what it's all about.

Another portrayal of God's will not being thwarted is that fact that Jospeh goes through (excuse my language) hell. He is sold, accused, thrown into prison. But, guess what? God takes the evil and turns it into good. He takes suffering and turns it into satisfaction. Comforting isn't it? No matter how hard life gets, how miserable I am, how dark it seems, I know that He turns evil into good. And just another way God shows us in the story of Joseph that His plan is NEVER thwarted.

"...for MY power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 19:9)

Ok, one more thing...

The same God who was with Joseph, who took him from slave to king, is the same God who is with me. He does not overlook details but He ORCHESTRATES them. One thing that has really convicted me this week and has for years is, IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. Yes, He cares deeply for me. But, as He is orchestrating circumstances in my life, He is also working in a variety of people for a variety of goals. The answer to, 'God what are you doing in my life?' may be what He's doing in someone else's life. How silly it is for me to think that I am the only one that matters. This life is a beautiful picture of God's sovereignty, providence, and grace working in the lives of MANY for ONE purpose. He is the great orchestrator. And again, 'He has this thing rigged.'

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)

I mean you talk about someone whose gaze was locked on God. NOTHING distracted Joseph. May Joseph's life point me to my King. May I find comfort in God's great sovereignty. I hope and pray that these truths will be lodged inside of me...