Pushed to Plenty

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

- Genesis 50:20

Have you fallen into a pit? Mentally or emotionally, either would work.

Are you trapped, or have you been falsely accused and undergoing punishment you don’t deserve? Depression, Recession, and unappreciation hitting you in the gut? Questioning yourself and God the million-dollar question “Why me”? 

Wondering why all this trouble because of your faith in Jesus?

Then I am pretty sure, the story of Joseph in the Bible from Old testament has the answers to all your questions! Yup, the same little brother, who got picked on by his elder ones, the father’s favorite who wore a cool multi-color jacket. The one nicknamed as Dreamer. That Joseph. 

What has he got to offer you? Let’s dig in to find out.

PIT INTO PATH

Speaking of digging, did you know? Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and threw him into a cistern then sold him as a slave to Egypt for 20 shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28).  Joseph was a young lad beloved and pampered by his father, imagine how he would’ve felt when he was sold as a slave?  Betrayed by his blood? The Bible says he even pleaded with his brothers for his life (Genesis 42:21). But they didn’t show mercy on him.

Now, your older sibling teasing you with the “You are adopted” card is one thing, but sold off to a stranger land? That hits differently. It is traumatizing for a 17-year-old young man in his prime age. It is the actual pit. Dark and lonely. Thoughts of negativity might’ve swarmed in Joe’s head. His situation changed upside down from having servants do simple chores for him to calling other

men “Master”.

Nevertheless, the Lord was with Joseph. Every step of the way. Even in the darkest pit, he was not alone. Once he reached Egypt, Potiphar the captain of the Royal Guard bought him (as a slave, of course). Joseph prospered and triumphed in everything he did and touched. God made him find favor in

the eyes of his master. (Genesis 39:2-6). 

The important thing, we need to a hit spotlight in this portion is how Joseph reflected God in his behavior whenever and wherever he goes. Though he had so many questions flooding his head and betrayal clouded his heart – He made sure to stick to the Lord.

As a result, even his master’s household was blessed on his account. The pit Joseph was pushed into became the path to his promised land. Same way when we stick to God through thick and thin, we allow him to turn a dangerous pit into a beautiful path.

Why God??

“Why God?, Why? “Have you cried out to God lately? Been there, done that. Not one of my proudest moments. Though Joseph was an exception. When Joseph stood for the Lord and resisted the greatest temptation a young man could face, Potiphar’s Wife falsely accused him of sexual harassment. He was thrown into prison for standing up for the Lord. All the good name he earned from his master, went down the drain in a day. However, Joseph never once raised the Question “Why God ??”.

As a human, I am pretty sure he would’ve had thoughts of discontentment and despair, but my man’s main priority was God giving him good conduct. False accusations and unworthy punishments did not matter to him because his focus was on God, hence even in prison the Lord lifted him. He made him find favor in the eyes of the Warden and in no time, Joseph oversaw everyone in prison (Genesis 39:20-23). 

Perhaps you also feel stuck in a place you don’t rightfully belong but the God who sees you will make your prison experience a place of favor. Just as He did for Joseph (Genesis 39:20-23).

But God!!

In Joseph’s life, till this point, many things changed. The place he lived, the bed he slept, or the food he ate. Yet God was his constant. He helped Joseph to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams. The same skill once his brothers mocked was the mere thing God used to make him the most powerful man next to the Pharaoh in all of Egypt (Genesis 41:40).

From a Hebrew Slave to the Prime Minister of Egypt. Would you look at that? God disturbed the slumber of the King for his kid. The thing is Joseph didn’t know it then. Maybe you too.

" Even when I don't see it, You're working Even when I can't feel it, You're working" ~ Way maker (SINACH)

Turning a couple of pages of In Genesis, A famine struck the whole country and Joseph’s brothers came to get grain from, you guessed it right…Egypt. 

Joseph recognized his brothers, when he revealed himself to them, he forgave them and lovingly provided for them. (Genesis 45:7-13). Joseph reasoned it was God’s plan to send him ahead to preserve grain not only for his family but the whole world.

There will be situations where we have all the authority and power to take revenge against the people who wronged us, and it would feel reasonable to do it. But that is the point where we need to show God’s love through our actions.  “You don’t know what they did” One might Argue. Let me do one better, Jesus knew what WE did yet he still forgave us it is only fair to share the same deal with those who wronged us. Because our reward is from the Lord himself and not from mere human beings.

Joseph even reassured his brothers after his father’s death saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” - Genesis 50:20

WHAT DO WE INFER?

When life gets tough and you feel like everything around you is crumbling, Remember Joseph. Genesis 37 to 50 doesn’t happen overnight. On the contrary, from being plucked out of the Robe his Father gifted him to parading in Pharaoh’s Robe around Egypt, it was a bumpy ride for years, It took Joseph’s loyalty to God and his attitude toward helping others in prison and his choice to

let go of the grudge he might have felt against his brothers, to make him a Patriarch we reflect on today.

Likely whatever you are going through is not only gonna make you, but also gonna feed nations and generations. You do not come this far to give up. So, chin up. God does not lead us into any situation without having a purpose behind it. Always remember that.  Wherever he’s leading you, he’s going ahead of you. You are loved, blessed, and protected by Jesus. 

When you are in a close relationship with Jesus every harm will turn into a blessing and a testimony. God is your only requirement because he is the only one who can turn a pit into a path, who can provide you with grain, and the only person who can push you to plenty with his love and grace!

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God Bless !

Gracia Betty Edith

- Blog Content Writer and Editor

Hepza Hart

- Content Writer and Editor