Purpose in the process!

Read:

Genesis 50:15-21 (NIV): “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

Act:

Let us be determined this week to:

Remember that in 50/20 vision, Genesis 50:20, Joseph was able, with God’s help to look back over his life and realise that even things that were really uncomfortable for him at the time worked for God’s perfect plan, and for the saving of many lives. He was stripped of his beautiful coat; betrayed by his brothers; thrown into a pit; sold into slavery; and lied about. He spent time undeservedly in jail; and was forgotten by others until just the right time. When God called him forth, Joseph realised that our Lord had used the difficult days to get him ready for a monumental task. He could look back with clarity. May we realise that there will be times in our own lives when we don’t understand the difficulties we encounter. But, we will be able to look back and see God’s faithfulness, as Joseph did. We will have 50/20 vision, which will bring clarity to our challenges and struggles. Did Joseph understand why he was sold into slavery, or why he spent time in jail? Absolutely not. Yet his unwavering faith in God allowed him to wait until God was ready to use him for a special task.

Know that God is our source of strength and hope. Genesis 50:20 is sometimes referred to as the Old Testament version of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” We have all experienced things that are distasteful at the time… Yet our loving LORD promises that even those things will work out for good, if we trust Him. He is our source of strength and hope during those difficult days. We are reassured in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognise Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

Trust that God has a specific plan and purpose for each of us! God speaks to us through His Word, through our thoughts, and through our circumstances. Remember, He loves us unconditionally. We are created uniquely, and nothing about our life is accidental. God has a specific plan and purpose for each of us, we just need to be still, listen and trust. On those difficult days, may we remember to apply 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting the whole of our cares – all our anxieties, all our worries, all our concerns, once and for all – on Him; For He cares for us affectionately and cares about us watchfully.” Let’s be intentional about guarding our hearts, and asking our Lord to help us stand firm in our faith. Let’s hold our position as we obediently trust in Him to help us fight the fierce battles around us.

Take heart and know that God is for us! If you are in the middle of a difficult season, a trial, a test, or you are feeling isolated… know that God is with You. He has equipped you to get through it, and He longs to grow deeper in relationship with You through whatever you are facing. He is trustworthy, and He is faithful. The more you lean into His plan for your life, the more freedom you will experience through Your relationship with Him! Even when our lives seem upside down – may we take heart, knowing that God will use what was intended to harm us for our good… not only for ourselves but for the good of others and to ultimately glorify Him through our testimony! May we choose loving God and loving others today. May our trials become opportunities for a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father!  May we recall the things God has done and is doing for us. May we all take a few minutes today to write down our blessings – giving thanks to our good, faithful and amazing Heavenly Father. As we wait for our Lord to help us look back over the challenges of our lives, may we achieve 50/20 vision. May we know that even when we don’t understand the scenario, He is using it to save many lives. What a blessing! Heaven alone will reveal the faithful results.

Pray:

Dear Lord God, I just thank You for Your providence in each and every one of our lives. I thank You for how You work every good, bad and ordinary event in our lives together for our good and for Your purpose. Lord Jesus, I pray that You will help us to embrace Your love, and give us the strength to choose to love You and those around us daily. May Your love start to shape us to be more like You, so we can act for good in this world. Help us to bring people back to You. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would guide us Lord God and that You would be glorified.

Dear Father, You are the creator of all things good. We thank You for creating us in Your image. We thank You that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by You. Each of us is unique and created for Your purpose, to be vessels of hope and love to the world. Different parts of the body of Christ function together to bring Your saving grace to a starving world. We thank You and praise You for the individual gifts that You bestow on each of us. May we always use them for Your glory, we pray, through Christ our Lord.

Father, will You please forgive us for roaming around or so easily losing focus?  We sometimes give in to temptation, especially the temptation of idleness dear Lord. Forgive us for that! We want to report for service. We want to take up our position in this battle once again – we don’t want to sit around in idleness. Even though the battle is fierce, Your Word encourages us, “don’t be afraid, don’t be dismayed.” Lord, we ask You to help us so that we will be faithful and diligent fighters in this battle. We ask that in Jesus’ name.

Thank You Lord, that You meet us exactly where we are – that You honour our hearts and our sincerity. We desire closeness with You more than anything. Help us to keep our eyes on You, on the mountaintop or in the valley. Remind us that our relationship with You is more important than any good work we can ever do for You. Help us to rest in You, so we don’t become weary. Help us press into a closer relationship with You – using the unknown times to grow more confident in You and less in ourselves. We know You are here with us, doing a deep work in us, which will bring wholeness and fruitfulness we never imagined possible.

Thank You Lord God, for the many, many blessings we receive from You. Make us mindful of them Lord. Now may Numbers 6:24 be true, “May the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace.” Amen.

(This WRAP is with great appreciation towards Patty, Lydia, Tracey, Jaimee and Marisa)

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