But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. —
Genesis 45:5
Joseph was a young man who had everything going for him. He was good- looking. He was intelligent. He was loved by his father. The problem was that Joseph’s older brothers were very jealous of the attention their father poured on him. So one day, they decided to sell him into slavery and tell their father that Joseph had been killed by wild animals.Genesis 45:5
Joseph had been on top of the world, but the next thing he knew, he was a slave in a foreign land. Fortunately for Joseph, he was bought by a man named Potiphar. Joseph did so well that ultimately, Potiphar put him in charge of his entire estate. But Potiphar’s wife, angry with Joseph for rejecting her advances, falsely accused him of rape. So Potiphar had Joseph arrested and thrown into prison.
Where was God in all of this? He was right there next to Joseph. The Bible says God was with him. And when things were at their bleakest for Joseph, he found himself standing in Pharaoh’s court, where God gave him the interpretation to Pharaoh’s dream. In the thoughts of his brothers he was a slave somewhere. But here he stood before Pharaoh, the greatest ruler at that time. With God, nothing is impossible. From the dungeon, God elevated him to be the ruler of Egypt. Just think of Pharaoh’s words to Joseph, “You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you. See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Amazing! It is only God who can do this.
Eventually, when his brothers stood before him, he said to them, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” You see, if you love God with all your heart, all things work for your good. You are blessed beyond a curse!
Prayer:
Father, thank You that everything I am going through now will turn out for my good and Your glory.Scriptural Reading:
Genesis 45:1-8
#YearOfWisdom
