It will all work out for your good & His glory.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

I’ve been thinking about Joseph a lot lately. As I was reading children’s Bible stories to my son last night, I realized again that God is in control. I had started reading the story of Joseph to him but I started with the one about how the cup bearer forget about his promise to Joseph rather than the beginning of the story where Joseph was sold out. I went ahead and finished the stories until Joseph’s ending but then went back to the beginning to read the first part of his start.

See, God already knows how it ended and how it will end before it even gets started. He gets the final say in every situation or circumstance. He knows our end from our very beginning. He says so. He goes before us, PRE-paring the way. Nothing is or comes as a surprise to Him, that is why we must trust Him. 

Joseph had told his 11 brothers about his dream he had had that they would bow down to him. He obviously wasn’t very wise in the fact that they wouldn’t like that. They were jealous and became angered of course. Who wants to bow down to their little brother, especially the youngest and favorite one of the father. Yet, remember Jesus? He was chosen. He was sold out. He was betrayed by one of his own. There were 12 brothers as well as 12 disciples and Jesus was sold out by one of them. He had to go to the cross BUT GOD got the final say. It was always the plan from the beginning. So was it with Joseph. No matter how unfair it was, it had to be this way to get to the grand finale; the whole purpose of the story or plot is leading up to the ending.. The ending is where it’s at. But what do we do in the middle to ensure that this ending will turn out the way God planned? We must cooperate. Joseph remained faithful and so did Jesus! So must we.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9

Neither of these men faced a short period of persecution. It wasn’t just a couple of hard days. Their whole lives were preparation for the saving of many. I mean think about it, Jesus’ family had to move from town to town just so that Jesus wouldn’t be killed from infancy, YET GOD had a plan and protected him. His parents were both willing and obedient in accordance with Gods plan. Sometimes we have to escape, we have to go where or even do what we don’t want to for our preparation season. King David did. As well as many others in the Bible who were used, they had to do and endure things that were uncomfortable. It’s not always ideal. Some have to endure for years. But God is with us through it all IF WE remain faithful. He said that He’d never leave us or forsake us, that’s a promise, though we can leave Him. We do have a part in this part-nership.

See, the Word says that we know that ALL things work out for good for everyone? No! But to who LOVE GOD and are called according to His purpose. We are all called. Many are called, but few chosen! Why? Because all aren’t willing to walk in this plan, endure it, or love Him enough to trust and surrender their lives fully to Him and His plan. They love self and things of the world more. Jesus endured suffering. We do too. He said He’d NEVER leave us but never said it be easy. We weren’t created for an easy life but a fulfilled one. In fact, He said if “they” persecuted Me, they’ll in fact persecute you too. Why? Because we are His and His representatives. They do not recognize us as one of their own! Who are “they”? The world, us before we were saved, those who do not have God in their heart and have not yet accepted Him to have His Spirit. We are persecuted directly for the cause of Christ. The enemy prowling around in the world doesn’t want us to follow God, to be saved nor endure till the end.

So again, we must Love God with everything and walk according to His plans. Joseph was going to be sold out: he was thrown into a pit, to be taken into slavery. He went from the pit to the prison, to the palace just to be brought back to the prison again. But, eventually he was put over all the land and its food supply! God knows what He’s doing and because of Joseph’s faithfulness, he was right under the king; his right hand man if you will. No greater power did anyone else in the land have. And like Esther or Jesus’ story, it was all for such a time AS THIS. Just when the very ones that sold him out would need food, he was able to sell them some because he was wise to save food when warned that there would be a famine. Just like Jesus, Who came not to have an easy life but a fulfilling life. Who would come to save in the end the very ones who misunderstood, misused and abused Him. 

Jesus says in this world, we will have troubles and face trials. That’s a fact! But also we are told continuously: DO NOT FEAR. He tells us this over and over again but also tells us to instead to be of good cheer! Why? Because He has ALREADY overcome the world. So why do we fear any situation IF we truly believe this?? We must prepare our hearts and minds to receive this truth. He has given us this ability. I had just wrote this note down after church yesterday: 

If He’s ALREADY overcome it, why are you worried? IT’S READY.

Didn’t He say; “It is finished”? Doesn’t that pertain to everything and the situations that you haven’t even yet to face. It’s already done. It’s already finished. He’s already gotten, obtained and won the victory on the cross. God got the final say.

Yes, He is already there even before you know it, in every single situation and at every turn. He was already aware of every situation that you have faced, are in now, or will ever face. He is omnipotent and omnipresent, all knowing - He is the begging and the end. He is “I AM” and is able to handle every situation and be anything that we need Him to be. It’s ready because He’s alREADY been there. He knows.

Side note: I feel like Joseph learned a lot about wisdom, when to speak and when not to. I’m sure that him telling his brothers prematurely about his vision helped him to be better equipped for future situations that he would face. He knew how to articulate better. But also, the vision was spoken and it came true, they needed to know the power of God. If he wouldn’t have spoken it, the rest would not have unfolded as it did. It was all part of the plan.

God had a plan for each of us even before infancy. He said He already knew us! 

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

Before He even formed us, He knew us. He knew our mistakes, that which we’d do and not do, and yet He formed us, came and died for us anyway. When He was on the cross, no doubt YOU were on His mind. 

So today, ask yourself: how do you relate to Joseph? No matter how young or old you are, Gods original plan remains. He has a good plan. He tells us that also in Jeremiah, plans to help and to prosper us, not to harm us. It’s all for our good. But sometimes we have to go through some rough spots, even hard and trying times in order to see this and the bigger picture as it unfolds. This is when we learn lessons, see the love and the hand of God as He also gets out of us what doesn’t belong in us. He’s refining us. It’s a process and I am so thankful that He loves me and is long suffering. Each day is an act of surrender. But don’t forget that God sees the bigger picture. He already has it all planned out: our part is to maker sure that we follow that plan by keeping God first, foremost and above all so that we can walk forward in that plan. We must seek Him daily and know that our plans are many, but in the end, it’s only His that’s gonna stand. Don’t we want that? To be in that plan? His lasting Master plan. The Word also says that, “a good mans steps are ordered by the Lord”. The question is, are we seeking Him diligently, first and with all?

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This is not just a cliche cutsie scripture. This is divine wisdom, instruction and truth, but you and I must apply it. 

In the end, you’ll see why you had to endure but whatever you do, don’t stop!!!

He’s coming back and He’s got a plan for you. When the time is right, HE will make it happen for you. Wait!!!

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelations 3:11

I believe that for such a time as this, You have been designed and created, perfectly put and knit together as a master designer piece for Gods use and His Kingdom. It’s all coming together till it’s final day. Don’t waver or lose your faith. Keep hope, faith and love. Don’t quit. He’s got a good plan in mind just for you and to help many through you if we will just cooperate. Just like Joseph, what God had shown him in the beginning came to fruition in the end. It’s at the end, it’s appointed time that it will happen, not a minute before or after. So, wait! 

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul (the enemy) which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:3

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. Isaiah 60:22 KJV 

The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen. NIV

If it doesn’t take God to do it, do you want it? Wait upon Him to do only what He can do. His time. His way. He will see us through from start to finish. It’s up to us to stay faithful in the middle. 

God, we give it all to You. It’s in Your Son’s name, Jesus, we ask, believe and pray. Amen.