During my morning Bible study today, I read a passage I may have read a hundred times. And a hundred times, I probably passed right over it and thought little of it. But today, it struck me. Today, it jumped out of the page and into my heart as something critical, something not to be missed. And today, I want to share it.
Before I share it, let me slip into reverse a moment and give you the backstory. The passage comes from Genesis. At this point in the story, we find Joseph, no longer a slave but a dignitary, in charge of Pharoah's house and all of Egypt. Pharoah has entrusted all of the land to Joseph, a poor Hebrew that first arrived in Egypt as a slave (sold by his own brothers, nonetheless!). Joseph has since been reconciled to his father and brothers. Joseph's father, Jacob (aka "Israel"), has died. Joseph himself is aging. Joseph's brothers are afraid that since Jacob is no longer living, Joseph will have no reason to keep on forgiving them and will turn against them at any moment (although having a glimpse into Joseph's life through scripture, we see that he doesn't intend to do any such thing). They beg him to forgive once and for all. The irony is that Joseph already had, but the brothers found it difficult to believe that Joseph could forgive such a thing. Finally, Joseph lets them in on the secret to his amazing forgiveness:
Joseph knew something that we sometimes overlook: our circumstances may look bleak, but God can use our circumstances to bring about amazing life change.
Because Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and sent him off to Egypt, Joseph was in a society that knew little about God. Egypt worshipped many gods, but not the one true living God. Joseph was slave to Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official. Because Joseph stayed true to his Father, the house Joseph resided in - Potiphar's house - propspered. Potiphar noticed. He was pleased. And that gave Joseph an opportunity to introduce Potiphar to the blessings of God. When Joseph was sent to the dungeon, he was in the company of the cupbearer and the baker to Pharoah. He interpreted their dreams (which, by the way, came true!). Through these meetings, he was again able to give glory to God. Did the cupbearer and baker take note? Perhaps. But Pharoah sure did. When Pharoah asked for his dreams to be interpreted, he went to Joseph. Joseph told him about the famine and how to prepare. Pharoah then put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. This was an opportunity for Joseph to glorify God, and tell Pharoah of where he got his ability to interpret dreams from. Though scripture doesn't exactly say if Pharoah, or any other Egyptians with whom Joseph made contact, ever came to know God personally, Joseph gave them more knowledge about who God is than they had prior to this poor Hebrew coming in. God used Joseph's circumstance to be fully glorified, and to save lives.
It's funny to me that God uses what is so incredibly painful to us as the vehicles for salvation. Joseph was enslaved for years in order to bring about life-change in the Egyptians and in his own brothers. The apostle Paul was tortured beyond belief in order to testify that he had truly given his heart to Jesus Christ. And Jesus was hung on a cross to die so that we might be saved.
In the Bible, we read about Job. Job was tested to the limit - he lost his family, his home, and his respect. Even his friends ridiculed him. Talk about terrible circumstances! But in that, Job chose to glorify God. And because of that, the Bible tells his story to millions and millions who can find their strength in their Heavenly Father.
I think about the Freedom Riders, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and the other activists of the Civil Rights Movement. What they endured was unspeakable. But because they endured in their circumstances, they brought life-change. They were able to speak a truth into the world: that God created us all in His image. Indeed, I believe God was glorified through their suffering.
Of course, the examples of pain bringing about a change of heart are too numerous to mention. God works in many, many ways - mysterious ones. He can use even the darkest of times. Because we have free will, we live in a sinful world. So God uses what we, ourselves, have created to make Himself known.
The bottom line is that God can use our negative circumstances - or ANY circumstances - for good. That is, God can use any situation to make an impression on those who don't know Him, and save them from eternal damnation. The question is, how do you view your circumstance?
Are you letting God use where you are to speak about who He is?
Before I share it, let me slip into reverse a moment and give you the backstory. The passage comes from Genesis. At this point in the story, we find Joseph, no longer a slave but a dignitary, in charge of Pharoah's house and all of Egypt. Pharoah has entrusted all of the land to Joseph, a poor Hebrew that first arrived in Egypt as a slave (sold by his own brothers, nonetheless!). Joseph has since been reconciled to his father and brothers. Joseph's father, Jacob (aka "Israel"), has died. Joseph himself is aging. Joseph's brothers are afraid that since Jacob is no longer living, Joseph will have no reason to keep on forgiving them and will turn against them at any moment (although having a glimpse into Joseph's life through scripture, we see that he doesn't intend to do any such thing). They beg him to forgive once and for all. The irony is that Joseph already had, but the brothers found it difficult to believe that Joseph could forgive such a thing. Finally, Joseph lets them in on the secret to his amazing forgiveness:
But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:19-20)
Joseph knew something that we sometimes overlook: our circumstances may look bleak, but God can use our circumstances to bring about amazing life change.
Because Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and sent him off to Egypt, Joseph was in a society that knew little about God. Egypt worshipped many gods, but not the one true living God. Joseph was slave to Potiphar, a high-ranking Egyptian official. Because Joseph stayed true to his Father, the house Joseph resided in - Potiphar's house - propspered. Potiphar noticed. He was pleased. And that gave Joseph an opportunity to introduce Potiphar to the blessings of God. When Joseph was sent to the dungeon, he was in the company of the cupbearer and the baker to Pharoah. He interpreted their dreams (which, by the way, came true!). Through these meetings, he was again able to give glory to God. Did the cupbearer and baker take note? Perhaps. But Pharoah sure did. When Pharoah asked for his dreams to be interpreted, he went to Joseph. Joseph told him about the famine and how to prepare. Pharoah then put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. This was an opportunity for Joseph to glorify God, and tell Pharoah of where he got his ability to interpret dreams from. Though scripture doesn't exactly say if Pharoah, or any other Egyptians with whom Joseph made contact, ever came to know God personally, Joseph gave them more knowledge about who God is than they had prior to this poor Hebrew coming in. God used Joseph's circumstance to be fully glorified, and to save lives.
It's funny to me that God uses what is so incredibly painful to us as the vehicles for salvation. Joseph was enslaved for years in order to bring about life-change in the Egyptians and in his own brothers. The apostle Paul was tortured beyond belief in order to testify that he had truly given his heart to Jesus Christ. And Jesus was hung on a cross to die so that we might be saved.
In the Bible, we read about Job. Job was tested to the limit - he lost his family, his home, and his respect. Even his friends ridiculed him. Talk about terrible circumstances! But in that, Job chose to glorify God. And because of that, the Bible tells his story to millions and millions who can find their strength in their Heavenly Father.
I think about the Freedom Riders, Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and the other activists of the Civil Rights Movement. What they endured was unspeakable. But because they endured in their circumstances, they brought life-change. They were able to speak a truth into the world: that God created us all in His image. Indeed, I believe God was glorified through their suffering.
Of course, the examples of pain bringing about a change of heart are too numerous to mention. God works in many, many ways - mysterious ones. He can use even the darkest of times. Because we have free will, we live in a sinful world. So God uses what we, ourselves, have created to make Himself known.
The bottom line is that God can use our negative circumstances - or ANY circumstances - for good. That is, God can use any situation to make an impression on those who don't know Him, and save them from eternal damnation. The question is, how do you view your circumstance?
Are you letting God use where you are to speak about who He is?
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