Sold As a Slave, But God Meant It For Good

.

Sold As a Slave,  But  God Meant It  For Good

Earthly situations  can grieve us  horrifically  —  because they are horrific.     There’s no  getting around it.     People everywhere are suffering  great injustices  as greedy,  powerful people  take advantage  of them.     We should never forget  that God is  in control  —  even in our suffering.

Many biblical accounts  show us  how to understand  these terrible,  earthly events  —  while staying faithful  to the LORD.     One example  is the life  of Joseph.     Psalm 105:17-19  says  of his life,

He sent a man before them,
Joseph,  who was sold  as a slave.
They afflicted  his feet  with fetters;
He himself  was laid  in irons,
Until the time  that his word came  to pass
The word  of the LORD  tested him.

Genesis,  chapters 30 through 50  gives the details  of Joseph’s life  of suffering  and slavery.     Throughout  his sufferings,  Joseph had faith  and complete trust  in the LORD.     So,  when his brothers felt  he would take revenge  on them,  Joseph comforted  his brothers  by saying  in Genesis 50:20,

As for you,  you  meant evil  against me,  but  God meant it  for good  in order  to bring about this present result,  to preserve many people alive.

So often,  we do not consider  how in the evils  in our lives  “God meant it  for good”.     When evil things happen  to us,  God is there  —  in full control.     As Romans 8:28 says,

We know  that God causes   all things  to work together  for good  to those  who love God,  to those  who are called  according to His purposes.

This truth  is why Joseph  remained strong  in faith,  hope,  and love  all during  —  and after  — his enslavement.

So  —  how are we doing  in our earthly troubles?

Are we  bitter  —  fearful  —  blaming God  —  hating  and blaming others  —  unthankful  —  ungrateful  —  revengeful?

Oh my!     Maybe  we should be  thanking  and praising God  for working  “all things”  together  for our good  —  and the good  of those we love.     When God means something  for our good,  we need  to see His marvelous works  that are far beyond words.     Let us trust  and thank God  for the good  He brings  into our lives  —  after we have suffered awhile.

Knowing  “God is love”  ( 1 John 4:16 ),  we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  thank You  for making us free  to honestly praise You  for all things  in Christ Jesus.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

 

Pray for our country.

.

… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

**************

.

The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

.

The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

.

Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

.

How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

.

Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

.

O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

.

Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

.

**************

.

.

.

Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect, but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

 …………

.

.

.

.

 

Advertisements