By Pastor Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Dapto, NSW
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God.
Genesis 45:8
You remember how the 17 year old Joseph was sold into slavery by his own jealous brothers. What anguish he must have felt! So many questions must have been running through his mind!
Upon his arrival in Egypt, he became a slave to Potiphar, and rose to leadership. But through the slander of his master’s wife, Joseph was disgraced and again wrongfully incarcerated. Here his ‘feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron’ (Psalm 105:18).
In prison he does a man a good turn, only to be forgotten.
Thirteen long painful years go by. What were you doing thirteen years ago? Imagine if your plans had been ‘wrecked’ from then until now. How would you respond?
Finally at 30 years of age, God’s plan became clear as Pharaoh promoted him to second-in-command of Egypt. From this position he nourished the Egyptians, many nations around him, and ultimately, his own family. Multiple lives were spared because the Lord had Joseph in place with the means to preserve their lives.
Nine years later, Joseph reflects on his life. As he looks back on all his losses, injustices, and misery, Joseph’s eyes quickly focused back on His God. His perspective comes into sharp focus in this verse. He basically says to his brothers, ‘God used you – sinful men – to accomplish His wonderful master plan for my life.’
This verse has been called the Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament, which says, ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’
The Lord never wastes a trial. He is working out His master plan. Although we may not see God’s hand in the wrongs we suffer, someday we will better understand and we will praise Him for marvellously weaving events together to use our lives for His glorious purposes.
Father, You don’t just barely manage to salvage something good out of the bad. I rejoice that You actually design good to come through tragedies, abuses, lies, and brokenness. Give me eyes of faith to see You behind all of life’s injustices. Rather than focusing on man’s venom, cause me to see You working all thing together for good, moving in hearts, accomplishing Your excellent plans. I ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Kevin Harris is pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church, located in Wollongong, NSW, Australia.