Here it is in Chapter 42. Jacob concluded: "all these things are against me." Genesis 42:36 He lost a young teenage Joseph; Simeon and Benjamin are now taken captive. I know the end of this story but not my life's story. This story works out for good. Way too often, the plethora of things I think are against me, well, all those things are actually working together for my good and the good of all. I just don't see the working for us of a weight of glory. 2 Cor 4:17. I wish I did. But this I do know, it is the God Above who sustains my soul to wait for Him. In due time, our God will act. Humble yourselves under His Mighty Hand.
"It is not in me, God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’’ Genesis 41:16 ESV. That's Joseph's response to the Pharaoh who imprisoned him. "Great gifts appear most graceful and illustrious when those that have them use them humbly, and take not the praise of them to themselves, but give it to God. To such God gives more grace." Joseph gives goodwill to the Pharaoh and to the chief butler. What respect---both evil men. Let God deal with them. God has plans for Joseph and for you and for me for our betterment. Trust him in the dungeon. Even when the chief butler forgets you, once again, for two more years. Even when you think God may have forgotten. Trust in the dark days.
Today is one of those for me I've been through cancer and rape and abuse. But nothing like what happened to me one Friday the 13th. Changed my life for the good forever. The eyes of the Lord run back and forth this whole earth to show Himself strong to any of us in dungeons or palaces. It's always within us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, but that's not life. Providence is. And that's why Joseph chose to wait on God to be lifted up. It is the Providence of God working in my life and I couldn't be more grateful although I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. There is enough Light to live well.
PHOTO: Santa Rosa Island, Florida. I stood here a few months after that January 13th when I didn't know if I could make it. Feeling forgotten. Alone on the beach. And an unknown lady sitting on the seashore right where I passed by, well, she walked right up to me and said: "You are going to be okay." Was it an angel? God sends hope along the way.
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