It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. —Genesis 45:5
For Joseph to say these words required trials that break his heart. But Joseph understands that behind the losses of his life, he is still hidden in the hands of God and held in the embrace of His grace. Faith is trusting in the unseen. Joseph entrusts the unseen to God by emptying his heart to Him.
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Lost in the valley.
Joseph is abandoned by his brothers. He is lost. He faiths his heart on God. Joseph is accused by Potiphar’s wife. He is lied about. He faiths his heart on God. Joseph is set adrift by the cupbearer. He is left behind. He faiths his heart on God.
Joseph falls (into a pit), is framed (after getting hit), and forgotten (left in prison to sit). But he doesn’t forget who His God is and still commits.
When people devastate, distort, or disappoint you, the expected route is defeat. You find yourself lost in the valley. But Joseph is able to maneuver above the landmines of falling prey to his circumstances. Rejection crushes. His heart cries. But Joseph perseveres because he believes there is truth in God’s timing and purpose through pain.
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Learning in the valley.
It was God who sent me here ahead of you.
The trickery by Joseph’s brothers harms him. But the sovereignty of God is still in control despite their actions. Joseph recognizes that it is God who directs the steps of his life, no matter how hard it has been, to where he is now. He learns to trust God in the valley. In our hardest, God is working even when we don’t see His greater purpose.
To preserve your lives.
The trials at the hands of others hinder Joseph. But Joseph’s roads, far from familiar, are used by God to lead Joseph to preserve and protect His people. God prepares and paves the way for Joseph through his hardships. He learns to trust God through the valley. In our hardest, God is working even when we don’t understand His greater plan.
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Leaving the valley.
In lamentation. Do not be discouraged.
In limitation. Do not fear.
In loneliness. For I will be with you whoever you go.
Three forks in the road occur where his life changes dramatically. Tumultuous turns involving his brothers, Potiphar’s wife, and the cupbearer. Yet Joseph fights to fix his focus and faith his heart on God. Unknown to Joseph, the challenges he conquers will save the lives of many and his life as well. When we can’t fathom the future, fear doesn’t have to overwhelm our faith because our God is with us. Defeat the detours. Rise up to the road. And leave the valley behind.
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©️2020 Jordan Su