“And he sent a man before them – Joseph, sold as a slave.” Psalm 105:2

 

Joseph was a man who served the purposes of God in his generation. I don’t think he would have ever imagined or chosen the way it ended up happening though. He was in a sense, an observer of a battle between God and Satan, between Divine Providence and men’s wills that were satanically influenced and inspired.

Our lives are in God’s hands…always. One of the greatest anchors to my faith is that I believe in the providential love of God. I believe that nothing happens in my life that God hasn’t allowed, doesn’t know beforehand, and is not with me as I experience it…nothing.

At the same time we live in a fallen world, a world that is at enmity with God, at war with God. There is a Satanic devised plan to destroy all that is of God, all which is born of God and glorifies God. Thus, in a sense our lives are the battleground of a cosmic struggle, and though engaged through faith and devotion to Christ, there are many aspects that we have no control over. This describes the context for Joseph’s life recorded in the verses above. The Psalmist writes that God sent Joseph, but the way that He sent Him was to allow Joseph to be abducted, thrown in a pit, and then sold to slave traders from Egypt by his brothers. So which was it? Did God send him or did men sell him? The answer is “Yes, both.”

There is nothing that helps my life make sense more than the power of the truth of the providence of God. Everything, everything, every thing in my life is under the loving gaze of God. Not only is it under His gaze, it is protected by His power and eternally part of His sovereign plan. Even in death, it will only be because God ultimately predetermined its time, place, and occasion. Though it could appear tragic or perhaps after hundreds of prayers of those who love me, it will ultimately be in the loving providential will of my God.

At times we give more attention to the enemy of our souls than the Lover of our souls. We are more aware of Satan’s schemes than God’s purposes. We are more attentive to spiritual warfare than we are to the grace of God. Yes, we are engaged in warfare, but the Word of God says, “The battle is the Lord’s.”

There is much that is mysterious in this Christian life. What continually creates awe in me is the way God accomplishes His purposes in my life through all the mountains, valleys, laughter, tears, rejoicing, grieving, victories and defeats. The plan and purpose of God is being worked out in my life. His Kingdom will come, His will is being done in my heart as it is in Heaven. And as Joseph was able to say to his brothers who treated him so unfairly and unkindly, so are we. “What you intended for evil, God intended for good.”

– Rick Martinez –