Reading through the story of Joeseph this morning and I put myself in his shoes for a moment. The weight of betrayal and rejection are heavy on my heart and I am overwhelmed by the painful reality of Joseph’s circumstances. I continue to read through the story and I am struck by Joseph’s perspective. I (the reader) know that God is faithful to redeem Joseph’s life and actually fulfill the dreams and visions he has as a teenager. It is easy for me to trust in the faithfulness of God and rest in him as I look at the broader picture. But Joseph chooses to trust in God’s faithfulness even as he walks through what might be the most painful moment of his life.
Walking through the death of my daughter has been painful. It has forced me to reconsider my views about God and how he works and what he considers good. In the midst of all my questioning and doubt I always come back to the faithfulness of God. One thing stays the same and will never change. God’s faithfulness to generations is written in his word and I can trust that his faithfulness will be the same today. He is constant and steadfast, even when it breaks my heart to believe it.
When I think about what Joseph went through I am shocked to see his response. Sometimes it is difficult to grasp how God’s people can walk through such pain and suffering and still manage to cling to him (without actually knowing what lies ahead). I know now that it has nothing to do with God’s people and everything to do with God. Oftentimes I fear what might come my way and how I could possibly handle any more pain. But I know that God is faithful to give me what I need and I don’t have to worry about what comes my way, because it is only (only. . . only . . only) by the grace of God that I can face my pain and suffering with a joyful heart that trusts in the Hope of glory.
The humility that Joseph shows in the end is a beautiful picture. May we all seek to trust God for all that we need and leave the judgment up to him.
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