Are you going through a difficult situation right now?

The story of Joseph is a story of bad things happening to a good person. It is also a story of what the enemy meant for evil, God used for good. It’s a story of Grace; a story that illustrates God’s sovereignty over evil.

God transforms awful to awesome. But we rarely understand why we are going through pain and suffering. But God is in control no matter how bad things seem to be.

The story of Joseph repeatedly demonstrates God’s plan at work, even when it seems like there’s no hope.

God Transforms Awful to Awesome

It may not appear like it at the moment, but no matter what you are experiencing God can use it for good.

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’” (Genesis 50:19-20, NIV).

God can take the evil intentions of man and use them for His good. He can use the pain and suffering we experience in this life to bring about a blessing that extends far beyond our lives, and for the blessing of generations to come.

God takes what was meant for evil and uses it to display His love, mercy, and grace to all mankind.

Looking for Good in Every Thing

Not many people can see good in a difficult situation at first. However, with faith and trust in the Lord you can look back over a difficult situation, and you will often recognize the hand of God and understand that He can use a painful situation for good.

Look past the pain and focus on the Lord.

Look forward to the blessing of God, even if you cannot see it at the moment.

The question is: Do you look for it?
Will you admit, recognize, receive and believe the truth that God can use the painful situation in your life for good?

Easter Was Awful, Until God Turned It Around For Good

Last week celebrated Easter. As Christians, it’s a special time of remembering God’s promises and giving thanks for our salvation. BUT. The disciples did not see the good in the awful crucifixion and death of Jesus the previous Friday. Jesus’ followers were physically, emotionally and spiritually devastated that Friday, but Sunday morning was a different story: Jesus had risen from the grave. God took what the enemy meant for evil and used it for good.

Easter reminds the believer of God’s love and reaffirms His promises, even in the midst of pain, sorrow, grief or hardship.

No Matter Your Situation, You Are Loved

God has displayed His love for mankind ever since God breathed life into man. God loves you so much that He allowed His Son, Jesus, to endure the physical pain and suffering of death, along with experiencing the rejection of God because of sin so that you would experience the love of God for all eternity.

No matter what seems to happen, Gods love can be seen in times of pain, suffering and even death. It is seen in the joy of eternal life with Christ for every believer. As believers we must recognize that God is in control no matter how things may look.

The story of Joseph repeatedly demonstrates God’s plan at work, even when it seems like there’s no hope.

God Loved Joseph Through His Situation Too

Joseph endured terrible things even though God had big promises for him: he was sold into slavery by his own brothers, and then again by merchants; then he was tossed into prison for something he didn’t do, and later forgotten and left to rot in prison.

During all of this, the Lord was with Joseph.

I wonder how Joseph must have felt, being mistreated as he was. Was he thinking that he was blessed by God and life is good? Probably not!! Joseph’s life was not easy and yet it appears that Joseph does not blame God for any of it. Instead Joseph remains true and faithful to God. He remains a person of integrity even in the face of being treated badly.

Joseph keeps his Faith in the midst of terrible circumstances.
Can you?

Joseph endured 13 years of pain and suffering, never knowing during that time why God was allowing it or what good could come from it. Joseph could have become spiritually hardened or angry at God, but he didn’t.

Joseph may not have realized it at first, but God used the evil intent of his brothers and all the other hardships to place Joseph where he needed to be in order to save his family from famine, and so a nation of people known as the Israelites would flourish and become known as the people of God.

How might you have responded?

You may not be able to see beyond the current situation you are facing; and yet you can have faith and hope in God’s deliverance.

Remember:

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 4:19).

“‘Because he loves me’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation’” (Psalm 91:14-16).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

What We Learn From Joseph’s Life

I believe there are 6 take-a-ways that we can learn from Joseph life and story.

1. We must stay focused on God: on the word of God, the power of God, the love of God and the presence of God in every situation.

2. We should trust God and not doubt or compromise what we know in our heart to be true concerning God and His love for us, even when things do not go the way we think they should go.

3. We must never blame God for the situation of pain, sorrow, or grief that we may endure due to someones actions, words, or evil intent towards us.

4. Refuse to allow anger or revenge to gain a foothold in our heart

5. We must always give God the glory and as we do we will remain spiritually humble and spiritually sensitive to Gods will and direction.

6. Always seek the presence and direction of God in every situation and He will make a way through the negative and painful situation to joy unspeakable and full of Glory.

If you will do this, God can use you to bless your friends and family for generations to come.

You’re Part of God’s Good Plan

The corona virus has some people living in fear; some may be blaming God, while others are grieving, angry and worried about tomorrow. You may know someone who cannot see past the moment. Things may appear hopeless at the moment. But they aren’t.

Let me suggest that you share how Joseph maneuvered through 13+ dark years of not knowing what was going to happen each day. Share how God transformed the evil towards Joseph for the good. Share how God has blessed you in and through your own painful times.

You never know who might need to hear a word of encouragement from you.

Remember: God can take what the enemy intends for evil and use it for good.

This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.