It Was His Plan All Along

It Was His Plan All Along Genesis 50:20

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

20 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.

May God Bless The Reading Hearing & Understanding of his Precious Word!

Prayer

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name

Intro:

Today, we will look into a passage that resonates with the core of our faith and the obstacles we encounter as followers of Christ. The scripture we just read , serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to transform difficult situations into something amazing and redemptive.

The story of Joseph's life is a great example of how God can turn trouble into success. Joseph could have given in to anger and hopelessness after his brothers sold him into slavery and put him in jail on false charges. But he knew that God's plan was at work, even when he was going through hard times. The scripture reminds us of an important truth: what other people may do to hurt us, God can use for our final good and the growth of His kingdom.

God’s not done with you yet!

Martin Luther King said this "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

When people do you wrong! It’s easy to be mad and angry! It’s easy to go into places of depression and anxiety! Especially, when the people who misuse or abuse you are folks closest to you!

We won’t go into the entire story of Joseph, but i want you to go and read it or re-read it if you haven’t in a while

Now, Joseph, was the favored son of his father Jacob, Joseph was and had a reputation because of his colorful coat. His brothers' jealousy led them to sell him into slavery in Egypt. Despite this betrayal, Joseph maintained his faith and integrity, rising through the ranks in his master's house. However, he was unjustly accused and imprisoned.

In prison, Joseph's ability to interpret dreams caught the attention of Pharaoh. That was where He accurately interpreted Pharaoh's dream!Pharaoh had these crazy dreams of skinny cows eating fat cows - skinny grains eating fat health grains and Joseph told pharaoh that an impending famine was coming and he was elevated to a position of authority, second only to Pharaoh.

Now here’s the deal- Joseph had been through a lot before this time of promotion came! When it came he was ready! Joseph's wise leadership during the famine brought his family to Egypt looking for food, which lead to this dramatic reunion with his brothers. The brothers were so overwhelmed with remorse they didn't recognize Joseph!

Here is a takeaway for each of us today! Joseph's journey from the depths of a pit to the heights of leadership in Egypt is a testament to his unshakable faith in God's plan.

Throughout his trials, he remained steadfast, never losing sight of his integrity and commitment to righteousness. This is an example for you and me today, as to how - we as Christ followers can navigate the challenges of life with grace and resilience.

No matter where you’re at - God is not through with you!

No matter what you’re going through right now - trust God - we all realize it was his plan all along!

Albert Einstein said "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." -

Now, here is what i find in the text - through it all, Joseph maintained a forgiving spirit!

Genesis 50:20 NLT

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Joseph had told his father, and his brothers what God was going to do with his life! You cannot tell everyone what God is doing with you, because they may not be spiritually mature enough to handle it! The brothers were jealous and they sold him into slavery!

This is why Romans 8:28 is so appropriate in many of our live

Romans 8:28 NKJV

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.

This verse gives us comfort and direction as Christ followers! This is the reminder, that God is actively at work in every aspect of our lives, regardless of the circumstances we currently face. Lean in:

1. "In all things": This part of the scripture encompasses the entirety of our experiences – the joyful and the sorrowful, the easy and the challenging. It means that there's no situation beyond God's reach or concern. He's present in every moment, working His divine plan.

2. "God works for the good": This part of the scripture highlights God's role as the ultimate orchestrator. He's not merely observing our lives; He's actively working for our benefit. Even when we can't see the immediate good, God is aligning events to achieve His purposes.

3. "Those who love him": The part of the scripture is a promise of God's work for the good is directed toward those who have a personal relationship with Him. It's a reminder that His blessings and purposes are intimately connected to our love for Him.

4. "Called according to his purpose": This part of the scripture reminds us that Our lives are part of a grand design crafted by God. He has a unique purpose for each of us, and this purpose guides His interactions with us, allowing everything to fit together harmoniously.

5. "And we know": This part of the scripture emphasizes the certainty of the promise. It's not a vague hope or a mere possibility; it's a truth that we can firmly grasp and rely upon. Our knowledge of God's character and His faithfulness reinforces our confidence in His working.

6. "For the good": This part of the scripture The "good" that God works for doesn't always align with our immediate desires or definitions of success. Instead, it's the ultimate good that aligns with God's perfect plan, shaping us to become more Christlike and contributing to His kingdom purposes.

7. "God works": this part of the scripture The verb "works" indicates a continuous, ongoing action. This reminds us that God's involvement in our lives isn't limited to isolated moments. His divine craftsmanship is consistently shaping and molding us throughout our journey.

8. "Those who love him": This part of the scripture reminds us that Our love for God is the foundation of our relationship with Him. It's not about mere affection, but about a deep, abiding commitment to follow His ways and seek His will in all things.

9. "Called according to his purpose": This part of the scripture reminds us that We are not random beings, wandering through life aimlessly. God has a purpose for each of us, and His calling aligns with His overarching plan for creation. Recognizing and aligning ourselves with this purpose brings profound fulfillment.

When we look at Romans 8:28, we can see how Joseph's story is like our own. God used Joseph's trials to bring about His plans, and He does the same thing in my life and your life. This verse tells us to look at our problems through the lens of God's providence and believe that even when things look bad, God is working things out for our good and His glory in the end.

It was God’s plan all along! When we lay Romans 8:28's on top of Josephs life, when I lay Romans’ 8:28 on top of my life, When you lay Romans 8:28 on top of your life - we see God at work! God used Joseph's troubles to put him in a position of power, God used Joseph's troubles to save lives during a famine, and God used Joseph's troubles to bring his broken family back together. In the same way, the problems we face in life can be stepping stones to God's bigger plan

Hear me now - in the middle of your challenge, in the middle of your hardship know this :

1. God is actively working to bring about good, even in the midst of adversity.

2. Patience becomes easier when we understand that God's timing is aligned with His purpose. Delays and waiting periods take on new meaning as we anticipate His unfolding plan.

3. We must view setbacks not as defeats, but as opportunities for God's redemption and transformation.

4. Every circumstance, positive or negative, becomes a platform for our growth in character, faith, and love.

5. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers, we're called to forgive those who wrong us, knowing that God can weave beauty even from broken relationships.

6. In times of uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God is at work, offering us hope that extends beyond our current circumstances.

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I don’t know who I am talking to, but you must hold on to this scripture

Hear God’s voice voice whispering these words directly to your heart! Past all the darkness, giving you a promise that stirs your soul.