Stormy Landscape Becomes Clear

02.05.07

“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
—Genesis 45:5

Joseph was a young man who had everything going for him. He was good-looking. He was sharp. He was loved by his father. The problem was that Joseph’s older brothers were very jealous of the attention their father poured on him. So one day, they decided to sell him into slavery and tell their father that Joseph had been killed by wild animals.

Joseph had been on top of the world, but the next thing he knew, he was sold into slavery. Fortunately for Joseph, he was bought by a man named Potiphar. Joseph did so well that ultimately, Potiphar put him in charge of his entire estate. But Potiphar’s wife, angry with Joseph for spurning her advances, falsely accused him of rape. So Potiphar had Joseph arrested and thrown into prison.

Where was God in all of this? He was right there next to Joseph. The best was yet to come. And when things were at their bleakest for Joseph, he found himself standing in Pharaoh’s court, where God gave him the interpretation to Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh said, “I like this guy. In fact, I am putting him in charge of the food supply for the approaching famine. He is second in command under me.”

Ultimately, Joseph’s brothers were affected by the famine. They came to Egypt in search of food, not realizing they were standing before their very brother, who now had the power to kill them. But Joseph eventually revealed who he was and told them, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good . . . ” (Genesis 50:20). You see, it seemed like God was late. But God was right on time.

He is in your life as well, if you stay the course, if you stay faithful, God will overcome evil with good.

Tim Carlisle