By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Genesis 45:5,7 "And now, 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... But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."_ - NIV
His brothers were jealousy of the love their father had for Joseph. They stripped him of his beautiful coat, attempted to kill him, threw him in a dry pit, sold him to Egypt, he is resold in Egypt to Portphar. Falsely accused, he is dumped in prison. By divine providence, he interprets Pharaoh’s troubling dream and he is made prime minister in Egypt. He is cut off from the love of his father.
Twenty two years later, his brothers come to buy food from him. They bow down in fulfillment of Joseph’s dream that had brought him trouble with them. Joseph has now understood the purpose of the bitter troubles his brothers subjected him to. He understands it was a divine arrangement to safe them. He asks them not to be distressed with themselves or to fear he would revenge on them. Instead, he was sent by God ahead of them, to safe them.
This was written for our learning too. Many bitter troubles and challenges come our way orchestrated by the devil through others. But never do they fail God’s predetermined purposes for us. Instead, it only helps to serve and fulfil them. Our greatest benefit from these circumstances of life is when we come to understand the bigger picture, the greater purpose, the divine hand in all these sometimes very perplexing situations of life.
Whether started by God or the devil, or selfish people, or our own mistakes, all things work together for good to those called according to God’s purpose. Hang in there. It will become clearer with time. God means well. Soon the treasure will emerge out of the rubble of pain and tears. Then you will say, ‘Now I understand!’_
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."_Shalom children of God.