Joseph in the Old Testament is an example of living this verse: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Psalm 28:7
In his later life Joseph understood some of what God had been doing in allowing/sending all the suffering of his early years. He said to his brothers concerning their having sold him into slavery, “You meant it to me for evil, but God meant it for good, to the saving of many people” (Gen. 50:20).
Joseph was thinking about his having saved his extended family, all the Egyptians and people in surrounding countries from starvation. That was true.
However, this was only a small part of what God was actually doing. Through Joseph, God preserved the line of Judah from whence came the Messiah. So, Joseph was one of the people prepared by suffering, through whom God brought about the eternal salvation He offers to all.
God was doing something immeasurably huge when he sent Joseph to Egypt as a slave! [This insight is from a lecture by Fran Sciacca of Hands of Hur Ministries.]
So what is God doing in our lives with the difficulties He brings to us? Are we, through worship, looking at God’s glory daily, and thereby getting glimpses of the great things He’s doing?
Are we grasping that our disappointments, hurts and sufferings are all being used by Him in the big picture in significant ways we can’t understand, and therefore praise Him for these problems?
The real goal is God’s glory! Let live for, trusting God and offering the Sacrifice of Praise in all things.
Addition: I am doing just that as I face a showdown with the car rental company here; the vastly overcharged me and tomorrow at the airport I will return the car and seek some justice from them. Whatever God does there will be accepted and praised for. Pray with us for the best of solutions. And for a safe flight to Turkey. Thanks
