Trust God!

He makes everything work together for good!

Too often, I’ve heard the above scripture inference to a negative, but recently I read in the book of Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful in its time. Reflecting on Joseph, the son of Jacob, his situation appeared to have no beauty in it, but God created all things to work together for the good of Joseph and the entire nation of Israel.

It All Started with a Dream!

Joseph had a dream, and he shared it with his brothers. In describing its symbolism, it meant more than what they could tolerate from their younger brother. Joseph had yet another dream still of a symbolic nature stirring his brothers to ridicule him by calling him a “dreamer.” Also, to add insult to injury, their father dressed him in a tunic of many colors (Genesis 37).

The Ridicule of the Brothers Takes Form!

The intolerance of their brother Joseph’s dreams provoked them to sell him instead of killing him. Joseph is taken to Egypt, where he is sold again, but the Lord is with him, and he is a successful man (Genesis 39:2). God, who knows all things, placed Joseph there. It looks like a plot of destruction had taken place, but God was working behind the scenes.

Joseph’s Challenges, But God was with him!

Joseph experienced temptation in Egypt at his workplace, yet he did not yield, seeing it as “great wickedness and sin against God.” Repeatedly scripture says, “The Lord was with him” see Genesis 39. This man, Joseph is an example of all things working together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). The aim is to save Israel.     

Dreams Brought Joseph in and out!

Imagine doing the right thing lands you in another place of desolation; sold into slavery by your brothers, then thrown into prison for a crime you didn’t commit. But God was with Joseph! When Joseph didn’t succumb to workplace harassment, he was thrown into jail. While in confinement, he interpreted the dreams of a few prisoners’ former members of the kings’ staff. The one restored promised to remember him, but it was another two years before he was delivered (Genesis 40).

Joseph told his brothers, “God sent me before you to preserve life!”

Genesis 45:5

God brought Joseph out, but it was approximately 13 years from start to finish. Enough time for a man to become bitter, but Joseph trusted God had a plan. He was placed second to Pharoah, King of Egypt, and a dream landed him there. Only God, in one day, can take a man from a dungeon to a dynasty. All while keeping his heart right towards those who wronged him. This dynamic story of how the Lord made all things work for good using Joseph see Genesis 37-45.  

Beloved,

God wants the best for you; trust Him to bring all

things together for good for those who love Him

to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

If you’re reading this, you are in the world, and you are called!

John 3:16