And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (Joseph, son of Israel; Genesis 45:7).
And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Joseph, the eldest son between Jacob and Rachel, the wife whom he loved, was despised by his brethren. First, they were jealous because they felt Joseph was favored above them. Secondly, they became enraged when Joseph told them about a dream that he had concerning them: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright, and, behold, your sheaves stood around about, and made obeisance to my sheaf (Genesis 37:7).
The scriptures teach that his brother’s hated him to the point of devising a plan to kill him. But God had a different plan. Joseph would be sold into slavery, bought by an Egyptian officer named Potiphar, falsely accused of rape, thrown into prison, and by God’s divine purpose, exalted to second in command over the Egyptian empire. Despite all of the bad things, the Lord was with Joseph, It was God’s plan from the beginning for Joseph to be ruler in Egypt during the seven years of famine that would plague the land and the surrounding areas (land of Israel). God knew that with Joseph in charge, his people would be preserved.
Although you may not understand all of the trials that you must go through in this life, if the Lord is with you, you have no need to fear. In order for God to do great things in you and through you, he must remove you from your comfort zone. In your comfort zone, there may be close family ties, friends, old thoughts, selfish desires, etc. Therefore, a separation must take place so that you can depend solely on the Lord. Yes it is painful! which is a natural reaction to fear of the unknown, betrayal, and being misunderstood. But remember, we are the called according to his purpose, not our own. In closing, when God has a great plan, it requires a great sacrifice. Are you ready?
written by - Brother Mark Johnson