Daily PresenceSample

After graduating from high school my faith began to take off. Channeling my newfound passion, I decided to start a Bible study at my former school. I called and asked for a meeting with my former principal. Surprisingly, he agreed! I showed up ready to see God move. They escorted me down the all too familiar hallway into his office. I sat in “my” chair. I looked across the table and said, “Jesus Christ has changed my life. I want to start a Bible study for students here, in the library, before school. Is that ok?” He laughed. Realizing I was serious he asked, “What are you really up to?” The question is fair. I was famously known for lunchroom strikes, organizing walkouts, classroom disruption, and much more. I told him, sincerely, I wanted to do a Bible study. I’ll never forget his answer, “I don’t think I can let you back in here.”

At the time, I felt like the world was against me. My first ministry endeavor failed. It didn’t even have a chance to fail because I had already destroyed it with my past behavior. Looking back on it, that rejection was one of the best things to happen to me. I’d go on to start a Bible study in a church that would turn into a career. The ability to see God’s goodness in answers we don’t want is an act of faith that reaps dividends in our future.

Joseph does this brilliantly. After being rejected and sold into slavery by his brothers, he finds himself in prison with false rape allegations against him. While in prison he interprets dreams for the king, yet remains forgotten. Then he finally reaches a place of prominence only to see his brothers, the ones who betrayed him, come knocking for some grain. Once he reveals himself, his words in Genesis 46:5 grip my soul, “But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.”

God can use the rejection. God can use the betrayal. He’s not the author of it, but His editing skills are better than anything man can do. If you’re feeling rejected, betrayed, or like you're stuck in a prison with no future, trust the God of Joseph to take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it to good!