TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY APRIL 3, 2017.
ADVERSITY
DEFINITION:
Misfortune, fate or calamity; an unfavorable event or circumstance.
Joseph said to them (his brothers), “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Genesis 50:19-20
The life story of Joseph as recorded in the book of Genesis, clearly illustrates for us today that God sometimes grants permission for adversity to enter our lives so He might accomplish an ultimate good.
When Joseph shared two dreams that he had with his brothers, dreams in which Joseph took center stage and his brothers bowed low to serve him. The brothers were insulted and plotted for a way to destroy him.
Many of you know the story of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery and he eventually became the slave of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the King. Joseph quickly rose to prominence but Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape and he was in prison for two years for a crime he never committed. This would certainly be adversity of the worst sort.
Joseph did not allow adversity to change who he was. He kept his integrity and remained faithful to God. As a result, he gained the respect of his prison guards.
While in total confinement in prison he rose to a position of leadership. God gave Joseph an opportunity to interpret a dream of an imprisoned royal servant. The interpretation that Joseph gave proved to be true. It took two more years but at the right time God reversed Joseph’s adversity after he correctly interpreted a dream of Pharaoh. He was released from prison and put in charge of the granaries. Joseph continued to trust God and it led to Joseph becoming prime minister. This allowed Joseph at a later date to save his family in the time of a severe famine.
When Jacob died, the brothers were afraid that with their father gone, Joseph would retaliate to pay them back for their cruel treatment of him. Joseph however assured them not to be afraid because he was in the place where God wanted him.
We can learn from the experiences that Joseph had. Throughout all of the painful events in his life Joseph trusted God to care for him. Joseph realized that in spite of all the adversity he had experienced in his life that God had been in charge all the time.
When we as believers belong to the Lord we can be assured that any adversity we face remains subject to God’s power and grace. He never stops being in charge of our lives. He never loses authority over us or over the circumstances we may be facing. God is always in control.
On occasion the Lord allows adversity in our lives but we should never forget that He sometimes chooses to use adversity to fulfill His purpose in the lives of those who trust and obey Him.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Help me to overcome adversity in my life according to Your perfect timing so that Your will may be accomplished. Help me to always seek Your will for my life and to be obedient to all Your commandments.
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