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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

God Meant If For Good!

There are many stories in the Bible about men and women who had ups and downs.  Regardless of who they were, a king or a peasant, a prophet or a general, a fisherman or a preacher; nearly everyone of them had an unpleasant side.
  • Noah got drunk.
  • Abraham, Isaac & Jacob all lied to saved themselves.
  • Moses committed murder.
  • David was guilty of adultery.
  • Peter cursed and lied.
  • John the Baptist doubted Jesus.
The list could go on.  

I love the story of Joseph.  He's someone I could talk about over and over.
  • He's the 11th son of Jacob.
  • His name means "Jehovah has added."
  • He lived 110 years and there is not one single sin mentioned about him.
  • He endured trials and afflictions that most of cannot even imagine and nowhere does the Bible even speak about him have a lack of faith.
  • Somehow he stayed focused through it all!
  • He was favored by his father.
  • He was a jailbird.
  • Hardship didn't harden his heart.
  • Riches and power didn't corrupt him.
  • Talk about unique.  How many people do you know who have that testimony?
In fact, the book of Genesis devotes a huge amount of verses about him.  He received a lot of attention in the Old Testament.  However, he is mentioned only four times in the New Testament.
  • John 4:5
  • Acts 7:9-14
  • Hebrews 11:21-22
  • Revelation 7:8
Another thing that stands out about Joseph is the number of areas where he is a picture of Jesus. He stands as a model of what each of us should strive to be.  
  • He never wavered.  
  • He never fell.  
  • He never complained.  
  • He never compromised.  
  • He never lost his power with God.  
  • He stood his ground for the glory of God in many terrible situations.
His life demonstrated the triumph of faith.  I guess the verse that stands out to me the most is Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD!