GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

Seeing the hand of God in the pits of life

Are you living in a pit? Do you feel like a Joseph in Genesis 37? Due to his brothers’ sin, he was literally in a pit.

Maybe you have been wounded by someone else’s sin, and you are probably wondering, “Where is God in all this? If God is all-powerful and loving, why is He allowing this terrible sin against me? If He is in control, why do wicked men literally get away with murder? If God is sovereign, why am I in the pits?” Joseph could have asked that question.

Joseph must have had his questions of "Why?" He is thrown into a pit, but he is not told why by God, yet he never ever complained. Joseph was told that he was going to rule over his family twice in the dreams given by God. Now he has been thrown into a pit and then sold into Egyptian slavery. The message of God seems impossible to happen. The scriptures tell us that he did not understand it. Listen to the words of the psalmist concerning Joseph. 'Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD kept testing him'. (Psalm 105:17–19 NRSV). Joseph does not know how God is working these things out. But he continues to trust God.

The interesting thing about Genesis 37 is that there is no mention of God at all in this chapter. It's almost as if there is total silence from Him. But we see how God is at work. God intervenes in the wicked plans of the brothers. Rather than killing Joseph as they intended, they throw him into a pit. God used the evil deeds of his brothers to begin fulfilling his plan as revealed in Joseph’s dreams.

It was not a coincidence that Joseph ended up in the home of Potiphar. God was orchestrating His eternal and divine purposes for the preservation and deliverance of the people of Israel. God took Joseph to Egypt to make him a great nation. But it would be 23 years of nightmare before Joseph’s dream and God’s ultimate plan for his life finally came to pass.

Not everything in life is about us. Get the bigger picture and see things through the eyes of God. Then we would understand that everything is about God.

When you are in the pit you may feel lonely and have doubts and have a tendency to question God and ask for explanations. Rather than asking God for an explanation ask Him for His revelation. In the pit ask God to show himself in his power and greatness. Look at your pit experience as a privilege. See God’s unseen hand as a preparation for the palace.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

Joseph had a very rough adventure with God, yet Joseph trusted without bitterness. What rough spot in your life must you give to God and trust Him completely?

QUOTE:

"God's hand never slips, He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our own good and for our ultimate good." Billy Graham

PRAYER:

Lord, help me never to think that You are not aware of what I am going through in life. But help me to see Your unseen hand guiding my life. Amen