For such a time as this

Gen 45

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.... 8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God".

Esther 4:14 "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

God's ways are not man's ways. Joseph, brought up as a favourite, with nice clothes & specially loved by his father Jacob suddenly has everything torn away and is flung, as it were, on the rubbish heap -- the victim of his jealous brothers.

But he had certain characteristics that helped him survive, and even thrive -- he was close to God, he had administrative ability, and favour with people in authority. Wherever he was, he was able find favour, whether it was in the captain's house or the prison. It was hard training -- he had to face injustice after injustice -- first, brutalised by his brothers; then, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife who must be having some kind of mid-life crisis, thrown into prison, and just when he thought he might get out by doing the butler a favour, had to languish another two more years in his dank cell. But God had his purposes. When the time was right, Joseph again, rose to the top, this time to rule Egypt.

By learning to obey God in all things through the school of hard knocks & not giving in to bitterness, he was able to forgive his murderous brothers when they presented themselves in front of him -- although not without giving them a taste of the terror he must have felt, to be handed over to slavers to an unknown fate. (Honestly, he could have taken revenge & killed them all for what they did to him). By this time, God knew he could trust Joseph not to abuse his power.

When I read his story, I have hope -- hope for those of us who feel that they've been given a hard lot in life. When we trust God in the midst of the darkness & learn our lessons well, He'll raise us up to be light for others.

Prayer:
Father, I pray for those of us facing a hard time now, or struggling with past injustices dealt to them. Father, may you show yourself faithful to Your Word, to lift them up from the pit, and to give them a new song to sing, a song of praise to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.