Essentials of the Faith - Pt 13

Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:17-21 ESV).

Today we turn to the last principle in our series. It will take me two days to “fit it in,” but my prayer is that it will give you encouragement as you face the difficult situations often coming from human actions. I suppose this year gives us as good a barometer as any since we find ourselves in the last lap of political campaigning for mid-term elections. I should be very clear at this point. We cannot adopt any illusion that we will be the decisive cause in any victory or loss. God alone will have that supreme role. That hasn’t changed since the time of Daniel. There the prophet says, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; …the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Daniel 2:21; 4:17). Whoever is elected in any position, they will not be sovereign. They will be governed. We should pray for them that they would know this. And we should pray that when they engage in decisive actions that affect our lives and the lives of others that they would not be without a complete dependence on the will and purpose of God. We should remember the clear revelation of this principle in the death of Jesus. When nations came to do their absolute worst, namely the murder of Jesus, they had not slipped out of God’s control, but were doing his will at their worst moment (cf. Acts 4:27-28). The worst sin that ever happened was in God’s plan, and by that sin, sin died. The reason for this is so that boasting is always excluded. Our salvation was secured on Calvary under the sovereign hand of God. And, if you are a believer in Jesus, if you love him, you are a walking miracle. God granted you repentance (2 Timothy 2:24-25). God drew you to Christ (John 6:44). God revealed himself to you (Matthew 11:27). God gave you the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The sovereignty of God in our salvation excludes boasting. There may have been a hundred horrible things in your life. But if today you are moved to treasure Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can write over every one of those horrors the words of our reading today: Satan, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” That’s the first part of our encouragement! Take it into your heart and use it to cement your hope in His promise and grace!