GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

Does God make all things work together for good?

We see the trust that Joseph had in God in these verses, “... for God sent me before you to preserve life” (45:5); “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth” (45:7); “Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh ...” (45:8); “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has made me lord of all Egypt”’“ (45:9).

1. God is in control of everything that happens in our life, whether good or seemingly bad.

Joseph had some things happen to him which were very unfair and unpleasant at the time. And yet Joseph related God to all these unfair events. Even Satan can’t do anything which God hasn’t allowed him to do. God’s purpose in all the things which seem to be against us is to bring ultimate glory to Himself and good to us as we trust Him.

2. Since God is in control, we must submit to God’s sovereignty in every event in our life.

It is not a blind resignation to events, saying que sera sera what will be will be. When we submit to God’s ultimate sovereignty, we can say with Joseph, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

3. It is the grace of God that preserves us.

Could God have prevented the brothers from selling Joseph as a slave to Egypt? He certainly could. But Joseph was the means He used to preserve. And so He allowed the brothers to sell Joseph in order to bring him into Egypt. Joseph acknowledged that God is so great that He can even use bad things that happen to good people to accomplish the most glorious results!

We can be assured that whatever happens to us, God’s preserving grace will keep us. And perhaps like Joseph, we may one day be able to look back and see the results of every setback, every loss, and every disaster in our life, and testify of the blessings they have brought to ourselves and to others.

Take comfort, God has our lives in His hands. See God’s hand in your life. Anticipate the good that He will bring from it.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

What can you see in the circumstances of your life? Chance? Karma? Luck? Or do you see the hand of God? Is it too much to think that even when our family severely disappoints that God is in control and has a plan?

QUOTE:

Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him. Oswald Chambers

PRAYER:

Lord, I thank You for the wonderful assurance that You are always in control and that nothing happens in my life without Your knowledge and permission. Help me to see Your hand in my life and look forward to seeing You accomplishing Your purposes as I submit to Your sovereignty. Amen