DAY 4Gen 40:12 - 50:26
The Life of Joseph
The phrase at the end of Gen 50:19 caught me off guard.
"Am I in the place of God?"
I know Joseph meant it as a rhetorical question to his brothers. But it makes you wonder how many times he may have asked the question to God. Did he ask it when he was sitting in the pit, or on the way down to Egypt with the Midian traders. Did he ask that question when Potiphar's wife lied about him, or when he was in jail. Or maybe he asked that question when he had all the wealth and power anyone could imagine, but without his family.
Due to our own choices, the choices of others, and/or the providence of God we find ourselves in circumstances and places where we ask ourselves the same question, but in different ways.
Lord, what is your will for my life?
Lord, where do you want me to serve?
God, do you really want me working at this job with these people?
God, why did this have to happen to me?
Lord, how long do I have to wait for the answer to my prayer?
Notice, that all the questions we ask typically have to do with "me." We start with ourselves and our circumstance and then look to God for the answer. But the answer we get from scripture takes the opposite perspective; one that's from God's view of His creation.
20 "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Don't pass over the last five words too quickly.
God's plan is to redeem and reconcile His creation, then restore it to its original purpose. Maybe Joseph had the right perspective. Despite what his brothers intended and all the trials he went through; God used it to save many lives.
We first must answer that question for ourselves. Am I in the place of God? You are if your found in Christ.
Then let's not miss the opportunity of being a part of God's plan by viewing our circumstances from the wrong perspective. Let's take the view from eternity and allow God to work through where we are to accomplish the saving of many lives.
External Link: Joseph's Travel http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/023.htm
