Plans

Genesis 36:1-39:23

Bend (Joseph) by Brandon Heath from The Story

Reach by Peter Furler

Some things just don’t go the way we plan them.

Joseph’s brothers planned to kill him, that plan didn’t work out (thankfully). Reuben planned to rescue Joseph from the pit and return him to his father, that plan didn’t work out. Potiphar’s wife planned to seduce and sleep with Joseph, that plan didn’t work out. Potiphar planned to keep Joseph as head of his household for as long as he possibly could, that plan didn’t work out. Judah planned to enjoy watching his son’s children grow and prosper, that plan didn’t work out. Tamar planned on having children…that plan worked out.

This isn’t where I had planned on this post going, but it’s working out! 😉 God knows the plans He has for you, His plans work out. In Acts chapter five we find the story of the Apostles being arrested for preaching in the name of Jesus. And much like in the story of Joseph how Reuben diffuses his brothers blood lust, “Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, ‘Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men about four hundred, joined him. He was killed and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!'” (Acts 5:34-39)

God’s plans don’t fail. Period. He is GOD.

I think we fail to remember that far too often. He is GOD ALMIGHTY, if He can speak this entire world into being is it truly too hard for Him to speak His plans into your life and then not help you make them come to pass?

As humans living inside of time, we live in the moment. We are only able to see as far into the future as this very moment. Sure we can make plans according to what we *think* is going to happen in the future, but that doesn’t mean that those plans will come to fruition. But God doesn’t live in the moment like we do. He stands outside of time, far above all time and space in a place where He can not only see the present and the past but the future as well. And it is from this place where He makes His plans. From where God stands and plans He can see what’s coming up ahead and can direct our steps toward the correct path so that we can avoid coming disasters. However, in order to avoid certain coming disasters may involve a present danger.

Just look at Joseph! I’m going to try not to give away the ending for anyone who hasn’t read it yet, but as of today’s reading, Joseph is in some serious hot water! His brothers despise him, he’s been sold into slavery and then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, he is then thrown into prison for something he didn’t even do! Talk about life kicking you when you’re down!

But Joseph isn’t alone in all this. Through every step of his journey “the LORD was with Joseph”. (Genesis 39:2) And because of this one simple truth, Joseph’s story works out in the end. And so can ours.

Today, it may feel like your family hates you, they may have even rejected you and sent you away to live somewhere else. You may be lonely in a deep dark pit; you may be tied to a stinky caravan of Ishmaelite traders, or be wearing next to nothing as a sign of your slavery. You may even be bound up in chains sitting in a jail cell wondering if your life will ever turn around. You may be mourning the loss of a husband and the loss of a potential child. But you’re not alone. The same God that was with Joseph and Tamar is the same God who is with you. Through it all, He is there, with you, helping you get through the tough dark moments in life so that you can enjoy the more delectable light moments in life. No matter what is happening in life today, you are not alone. You never have been and you never will be. God is with you. And if God is with you, who can be against you?