January 18, 2019: SOAP #3333:  Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 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.  6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be ploughing and reaping.  7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

Romans (NIV) 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Observation:  It would be many years before the Apostle Paul would write Romans 8:28, but Joseph had already lived the truth of that verse!   Joseph lived it before Paul wrote it!  Not everything that had happened to Joseph was good!  But everything that happened worked together for Joseph’s good, for his family’s good, for Egypt’s good, and for God’s glory.

Application:  Satan loves to sow seeds of bitterness and unforgiveness in our lives.  He loves to show how wrongly we have been treated.  He loves to show us a way we can get even.  Keeping Romans 8:28 in perspective does not allow bitterness to get a root in the heart.  Forgiveness flows easily from a heart that has full confidence in Romans 8:28.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continually remind me of this truth and of Joseph’s example of how to live it!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!