UNTIL. God Turned It For Good
All I ever wanted was to be a mom. But all I ever faced were obstacles. At least it seemed that way for a season. Infertility, disappointment, hope deferred, and miscarriages crushed the hope of family and blocked the way to the fulfillment of my dreams. I understand the pain when a dream is delayed or even denied again and again. Motherhood was my high calling but everything stood in the way. UNTIL. Two sons were born. Even though ten years apart, we had our family at last. Our sons were the joy of our lives. And life was good. UNTIL. The words, “Bad news; cancer,” filled the room with sharp daggers popping every balloon of hope for the future. Was this a death sentence? Would I live to see them grow? Fear tried to paralyze me. UNTIL. God intervened. His protection surrounded me. He used these obstacles to refine my faith and prepare me for future challenges that were sure to come my way. I learned to live, move and have my being in Christ. After two mastectomies within a five-year period of time, I have been cancer free now for nearly 24 years. I have been there to see my children grow. I have seen them marry and have children of their own (and one is currently on the way!). My highest calling and dreams have come true through my family. What the enemy intended to prevent as well as destroy, God chose to turn for good. He saved my life so I could help save others.
Read Genesis 50:1-14
1. What did Jacob’s sons do for their father after he died that he had commanded them to do before his death?
Read Genesis 50:15-18
2. What did the brothers of Joseph fear after their father died? What message did they send to Joseph and what did they do once again to fulfill the dreams?
Read Genesis 50:19-21
3. How did Joseph respond when he read their message?
4. What was the bigger plan of God of which Joseph reminded them?
Read Genesis 50:22-26
5. What promise did Joseph confirm to his brothers’ families when he was about to die? (see Genesis 46:4 and 48:21).
6.What speaks to you the most from these lessons on Joseph?
Who knows why Joseph was saddened about his brothers’ plea for mercy. Was it because they lied about their father’s instructions to Joseph? Or was it because Joseph hadn’t done enough to prove his forgiveness? Whatever their inner motivation, the brothers once again threw themselves down before Joseph declaring to be his slaves forever. This was a final fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams. Joseph truly loved his brothers and assured them he had forgiven their wrongdoing. What I love the most about this story is how God took what satan meant for harm and turned it for good. Joseph had to let go of any bitterness and resentment he felt toward his brothers. He assured them that God was in control over his life and what they had done to harm him only accomplished God’s greater plan to save many lives. If we could only remember this truth when we face our own personal trials. The enemy wants to destroy us, but God will take what satan means for harm and work it out for our good, and the good of many others. Stop and think about that today in light of your present circumstances. No one but God can turn the evil intentions of the enemy into something good for the benefit of you and others.
Joseph had his father embalmed and they mourned him for 40 days as his father wanted – Pharaoh let Joseph fulfill the his father’s wishes. He was buried in the land of Canaan which was his father’s request. Joseph’s brothers thought he would hate them for what they had done to Joseph – they ask Joseph to forgive them – they all fell down and wept – they would be his servants now. Joseph said to his brothers – Fear not for I am in the place of GOD – GOD turned his brothers evil into good – to save people – Joseph would nourish them and their little ones – Joseph spoke well to them. Joseph told his brothers that GOD would take care of them when it was time for him to die – when Joseph died they put him in a coffin in Egypt.
GOD always works everything out according to HIS will in our lives – we are to live our lives as close to GOD as we can and do HIS will each day of our lives – Karen – I love the reading about your life as a Mom – sometimes it is hard to live our lives when Satan tries to step in – I also wanted to be a Mom – Louis and I were married 5 years with 2 miscarriages before we had our first child – a girl – The doctor had to place a brace so I could carry a child – now to me that is the work of the LORD on every side of our lives – then we had another girl in 9 months and that was the only children I could carry at all – GOD was with us each step of the way and blessed our lives so much with the 2 girls – I understand how you felt – that is so wonderful about being cancer free for all of those years – does not GOD work in a wonderful way in our lives and then I do not understand some people not serving the LORD with their whole hearts – HE is so wonderful – I love chatting with the LORD each day of my life and reading HIS word. We can do all things through HIM. Such a wonderful lesson and we can all learn from these lessons if we only listen to the voice of GOD at all times.