33

33 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.”

 Genesis 50:20

 Joseph saw the sovereignty of God in all his life and saw the mercy of God towards him and the people that he served. God is over all and takes an active part in all of life, fashioning it according to His will and tender mercies. Joseph saw God’s hand in all the hardships of his life and was therefore able to not blame his brothers for all his sufferings.

 So also we, as we look at our own life and the activities of this world, we can be confident that God is over all. All the war and political and economic turmoil that we see is all in the hands of a loving God. He is working our His purposes for the good of His people and using suffering to bring many to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

 When other people are against us we can move forward in confidence for God is over all. Even when people mistreat us and blame us, yet we know that His sovereign will is still being carried our for our good and His glory. Joseph’s brother did wickedly, but it was all part of the plan of God to bring Joseph to Egypt where he would bless the nations of the world. So with us. God allows deep sufferings that we might be objects of His mercy and show the world the glory of faith.

 Do not lie down in grief over your difficulties but claim the power of God to overcome them in the Holy Spirit. Joseph’s character was being honed for great things, and so we are being honed for eternity and ruling with Christ above. Take heart dear one. God is in control…