ServantOne
Helping Others Get To Where They Want To Go
Sometimes You Have To Look Behind The Curtain
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 ESV
Trusting God is sometimes hard . . . trusting people who are “God’s messengers” in our lives . . . that reaches to a different level of difficulty.
Joseph lived a life of which great novels and award winning movies are made. He was the favorite younger son of a large family. He was honored by his earthly father and his Heavenly Father. Hated by his brothers, they faked his death and sold him into slavery. Even as a slave, he distinguished himself as a leader, rising to a place of prominence and then being falsely accused of sexual misconduct. He was given insight from God, rose to another position of power and became one of the greatest leaders of one of the powerful nations in history.
In the children’s literary classic of the 1900’s, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy and Toto encounter the Wizard. After stalling to fulfill his promises, Toto pulls back a curtain and exposes the Wizard as a middle-aged man operating machinery and speaking into a microphone. Admitting to being a humbug, he insists that he is a good man but a bad wizard. Looking behind the curtain revealed the real story.
In Joseph’s story, God is revealed as a “behind the scenes” Divine Chess Player moving pieces that strategically bring about His ultimate plan. As a Sovereign multi-tasker, His insight, influence and impact transcend time. His omniscient perception has been, is and will always be.
God’s Good Plan. By today’s standards, Joseph is a victim. The actions of his brothers and enemies are unfair and unfounded. Their deceptive reactions deliver disastrous results. Joseph’s brothers devise evil against him while God designs and directs the evil for good. As Joseph places his trust in God, his perspective changes from a victim to a victor. Paul reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Rom 8:28 NLT). In our lack of patience and limited perception, its easy to lose confidence in God’s plan. Our failure to trace God’s moving hand requires our faith to trust His heart. Elizabeth Elliott writes, “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” God always has a plan for His people.
God’s Guiding Presence. God’s omniscient perception is always complimented by his omnipresence . . . He is with you . . . always. George Washington writes, “Providence has at all times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us.” Moses reassures the Israelites, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deut 31:8 NLT) The Sovereign Savior has been with you in your yesterday, is with you in your today and will be with you in your tomorrow. The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb 13:5 ESV)
God’s Greater Purpose. Joseph’s pain, as well as his prominence are all part of God’s plan for deliverance and destiny. He depends on God’s grace and determines God’s greater good. Joseph perceives God’s broader purpose, “He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Gen 50:20 NLT) Young writes, “This is how you foil the works of evil, growing in grace through the very adversity that was meant to harm you.” Paul tells us, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Phil 1:6 NLT). God is working in ways that we cannot see to do things that we cannot do.
C. S. Lewis writes, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain, but without stain.”
In our struggles and suffering, God has a good and greater purpose . . . and He guides us with His presence.
Others may devise evil . . . God has destined good. Just take a look behind the curtain.
ServantOne 