Genesis 45:1-15
My favorite part of the account of Joseph is when Joseph finally reveals to his brothers who he is and there's a family reunion of sorts. The storyline is good and Joseph's words and actions are so impressive. Now, typically, I'd focus there. But, today something different captured my attention. As I sat considering this chapter, thoughts of God's greatness and his goodness flooded my mind. The events of Jacob's and Joseph's lives didn't just happen. It was all part of God's master plan, and He and He alone is the orchestrator and conductor of that plan.
So Jacob, Joseph--and each of us--are all instruments or players in that plan. Now the difficult thing about this is that we aren't privy to all the details. So, we have a tendency to doubt and question and underestimate God's power and ability when circumstances don't make sense to us. I guess what I'm trying to say is, we evaluate God based on our limited vision. I can't tell you how many times after coming through a tough situation I've looked back and thought Oh, that's what you were doing God. I sure didn't understand it then, but I get it now and I'm thankful.
So what will you do this next week to do a better job recognizing God as the master planner, orchestrator and conductor of your life? How will you use this passage to build your trust in Him? Tami W.
I just came through a trial in my life that I did not understand how I ever would think of as any good coming out of it. I know now that it was God's way of showing me that I needed to renew my commitment to Him and put Him at the center of my life again and learn to trust Him in all things. I was holding on to some things that I knew in my heart were not what was the best use of my time. I thank God now for showing me this and for directing me to the right doctors to help me get the help I needed to get my health back. I am so thankful and grateful and praise God everyday for loving me and I pray I will continue to grow spiritually and let Him lead me on the great adventure He has planned for me.
For many years I was a good churchgoing Christian. I went through the motions without the close relationship with Jesus. After being raped I was forced to search for answers and my relationship with my Savior grew. I thank God everyday for that attack because he got my attention with his tender mercy on me during that time. He knew what I needed. I now know his love more than ever. Now when trials happen I am more at peace because I know he has the plan and he loves me.
Tami, your comments reminded me of the words to one of my favorite songs "Bow the Knee". Thanks!
I just found out that I am suffering from neurophatic pain.
For months, i rarely sleep at night. I thought i was having insonia which I was ashamed of. I hated to be branded insomniac so i did my best to have my sleepless nights productive. Have written many sermon outlines and presentations, read some books, laid out plan for project proposals...literally I was doing office work at night until i get tired and then fall asleep.When my body couldn't fight anymore, i went to my doctor and she explained what's going on. She gave me medicine for the pain and presto! I'm able to sleep normal. I looked back at those nights. I see now how He allowed me to be put in physical condition so i could think of matters I would be too busy to give attention to. He is a great Orchestrator indeed!
I have come to realize that trusting God, through prayer, praise and the Word makes a better person. I have suffered terribly from severe epileptic seizures, I went as far as the hospital for the mentally ill because the doctors thought I was insane.However, it was because of the severity of the seizures I had. They lasted over a long period, and my mind was under attack from the enemy, but the Lord kept me through them all. Many times I thought I wouldn't make it -thank God, every morning now I can say "I am alive and am in my right mind". I will meditate on these wonderful break-throughs - just as God came through for Joseph and his family.
I have signed up to be counselor at a Franklin Graham evangelical event for youth today. This is a new step for me. I just learned last night that my aunt 3 provinces away has passed away. I am her executor and in addition to the sense of grief at her passing I am also very aware of my responsibilities regarding her affairs. I decided to carry through with the event today despite the inner pressure to attend to these details right away and start traveling. I witnessed to my aunt befroe she died and I do not know if she accepted Christ but being available to watch God work today puts everything in perspective as life and death is impressed upon me at this time. As I read the devotion today (my first) I realized that rather than an inconvenience of timing perhaps God has orchestrated it just this way and I may be able to witness to other family and friends at this impacting time.
Thanks to all who shared on this topic. It makes it even easier for me to see God's hand at work. I agree with Tami when she says that we have minimal vision when it comes to the situations that happen in our lives. I tend to think in 'multiple choice' answers. A - best case scenario B - decent answer C - not so good but can be handled D - my least favorite answer from God. Then I feel prepared, as a human, to see what plan God has chosen. In the meantime, I look for all the small blessings that God gives; for example I ask questions like "I don't like being delayed but I wonder what God protected me from this time, I had not had that flat tire, or gotten sick, etc." God is good.
God is GOOD all the time.