Forgotten Not Forsaken
So far it has been an interesting July 4th weather wise. We have had sun, warm temps, clouds, sprinkles of rain and a light breeze. It almost reminds me of a July 4th many years ago at Dakota Ridge Assembly. We had a big July 4th event with dunk tank, bouncy castles, games, food and music. It turned out to be the coldest July 4th that I could ever remember. The dunk tank was punishment instead of a refreshing plunge.
Debbie has been home and out a few times during her on-call duties. I went down to the local swimming pool for a while and did some work outside.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Then Joseph said to his brothers…. “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! ….do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Genesis 45:4,5,8
In the story of Joesph we can see once again God working through human decisions and personalities and world events to accomplish His purposes. God saved the 70 family members of Israel and fulfilled the prophecy to Abraham that his descendents would be slaves in Egypt for 400 years.
What we can observe that made a difference in the story of Joesph was the fact that “God was with Him.” Even though he was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, taken to Egypt, framed by Potipher’s wife and forgotten by the cupbearer in prison. When circumstances make it look like we are “God forsaken” we find that “God is with us.” God made Joesph successful and gave him favor where ever he was. That means he needed to stay open to the Lord and refuse to become resentful and self absorbed.
Joesph’s experience with dreams became the tool God used to bring him to a position of power and influence. He went from being “a dreamer” to being an “interpreter of dreams.” In each situation, both in prison and before Pharaoh, he gave recognition to God as the interpreter of dreams. In doing so we God fulfilling the dreams of Joesph as a teenager.
Then we see that God’s purposes are revealed as we move through the experiences of life. I don’t believe that Joesph thought he would ever be reunited with his family. Remember…“Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” Genesis 41:51
Through the events that transpired Joesph could see the reason behind his life events and that God was the One who would bring about good according to His promise to Israel. As a result of God working for Joesph to be in a position to save the family of Israel many others in Egypt were saved and blessed as well.
We can summarize Joesph’s life as “forgotten by men, but not by God.” In times of difficult it is easy to question God and become shaky in faith. But that is the time to realize that God is near, He doesn’t forsake and He is working for our good. I am reminded of Paul’s declaration, “if God be for us who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31)