"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
Recently I have been studying the life of Joseph in preparation in leading the men’s study group on Saturdays. Joseph experienced many troubles. At the age of 17 he was thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold as a slave. In Egypt, after climbing the ranks in Potiphar’s house, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into jail. After many years in jail, he meets up with Pharaoh’s cupbearer who had been arrested. The cupbearer has a dream, and before interpreting the dream, Joseph asks for the cupbearer to remember him and tell Pharaoh of his innocence. In keeping with the interpretation, the cupbearer is released three days later, but forgets Joseph. Locked away and forgotten, that’s Joseph’s situation. Two years pass by and Pharaoh has two dreams…both with the same meaning…there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. No one could interpret his dream…except Joseph who was locked away in jail, forgotten. The cupbearer remembers him, Joseph is released, Pharaoh’s dreams are interpreted, and Joseph is promoted to second-in-command of Egypt. Did God allow Joseph to experience these bad times? Well, let Joseph speak for himself. He says to his brothers who would meet him years after being sold as a slave, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:4-8) So did God allow Joseph to be thrown in a pit, sold as a slave, falsely accused, and thrown in jail? Yes. Why would he have allowed this? It was so that he could be in a position where he could help his family and preserve life. Joseph would later say to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20) Covid-19 is not a pleasant thing. There are many troubles that it brings. But let’s step back for a moment and ask, “Has God allowed for this virus to be here?” This is a question concerning God’s sovereignty. The word “sovereignty” refers to a kings right and power to do all that he decides to do. How truly sovereign is God? Here are some verses to consider as you think about this question.
So, has God allowed this virus? The short answer is, yes. Nothing can happen without his permission. So the question that begs to be asked is, “Why would he allow this virus?” Now I’m sure we could spend time making a list, and I’m sure our lists would probably look different. On that list might be:
Have you considered that perhaps one of the good things he is bringing about is the salvation of others? Listen to what Paul said to those at Athens, “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:24-27) When we look at the life of Joseph, he has the right perspective. He see's God's hand bringing about good in all things. The virus doesn't make void the promise of Romans 8:28. So I encourage you to see God's hand in it and see the good that he is working out.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
Archives
May 2021
Categories |