Genesis 45:5, "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life."

Reading about Joseph and his trials surely makes one think of how faithful he was even when things didn't appear to be going "his way."  Have you ever been disappointed or even discouraged because of what you thought were negative circumstances?  The statement he made to his brothers in today's verse is a reflection of his Godly character.  Joseph is a man filled with faith in God's sovereignty who possesses a heart for others.

He encouraged his brothers not to be over wrought with grief regarding their mistreatment of him.  They were moved by jealousy and anger when they sold him, and now showing a certain level of contriteness. How much of this was due to where they found themselves is unknown, but you have to think that they realized their brother had the power to do to them whatever he chose.  He also encouraged them not to internalize anger.  We often get angry at ourselves because of things we have done that we shouldn't have.  This is a normal initial response, but the Biblical way to respond to our sin and wrong doing is to repent, and to learn from our wrong by not repeating it.

Lastly, Joseph says, "God did send me before you to preserve life."  Do you see God at work in your life?   You say, well God didn't send Joseph to Egypt, it was the disobedient hatred of his brothers that sent him to that place.  Both are correct, his brothers hatred was the human reason, God's sovereign plan was the divine reason.  You need to see God at work in your life because he is always at work in our lives.  If you are born again, you must allow this principle to work in your thought life and prayer life, God is at work in you.  Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  This passage is a guarantee that God is at work in our lives!

God's purpose in sending Joseph to Egypt was to preserve the lives of thousands of people, in Egypt, in Canaan, in other Gentile nations, and in his family.  And it would fulfill his dream of his brothers and his father bowing down to him.  God is at work in your life always.

I rejoice to know that God is at work in my life today!  Will you acknowledge His work in you?

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Are you a person who remains faithful to God even when things are difficult?  Why do you have such resolve?

2.  Do you believe God is sovereign?  If so, how does His sovereignty help you when things are hard?

3.  What did God purpose in sending Joseph to Egypt?

4.  How does the truth of Romans 8:28 encourage you?

5.  Can you see God at work in your life today?  If not why?  

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott