This sermon brought to mind a song that we often sing during our praise and worship set.
Goodness Of God
All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery. Despite this, God was working in his life for good. Even the treatment of betrayal from his brothers played a part in making God’s plan for the survival of many through Joseph. God’s goodness is that he is there for us whether we see or feel him or not. He’s always working in our lives. His goodness leads him back to him! It leads to our repentance. We think that we need to find God, but he pursues us!
Even in the darkest times God is with us. God was with Joseph through the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife, his imprisonment, the dreams that he was able to interpret, and his success in saving people through the famine by predicting that the abundance beforehand wasn’t going to last.
Joseph had given his brother’s the ultimatum of bringing the youngest brother back to Egypt to regain their brother Simeon.
Paralysis by analysis
Jacob was not willing to let the brothers take Benjamin back to Egypt for fear of losing him, too. But, God works in mysterious ways. It was Jacob’s decision to relinquish control of the situation which led to reconciliation.
Judah is the one who finally convinces Jacob that they’ve already wasted enough time that they could have been there and back twice. He asks Jacob to trust him.
They had found their silver in each of the bags when they left Egypt and now Jacob says they must return it and pay for the grain they would also receive this time.
When they returned to Egypt, they were running all kind of scenarios through their minds when they were taken to Joseph’s house. We’re they brought there to be killed or robbed? To them it was payment for the wrong they had done to Joseph. How were they going to explain the server that was returned to their bags?
When they expected shackles, they were greeted with “Shalome”, a greeting of peace. Instead their feet were washed.
The power of forgiveness
His brothers bow down to Joseph, just as he dream had revealed many years ago. Heart issues can’t be fixed with money, it takes restoration.
They sat together as Joseph served them, giving Ben five times the portion of the other brothers.
Faith can get us through tough times even if they persist for a long time. God plays the long game. Our faith can’t be in religion or the actions of men. Our faith must be in God.
Faith is stepping out of the nest and trusting you’ll have wings before you hit the ground. It’s not being safe in the nest. Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains if God wants those mountains to be moved. Our prayers must be in line with God’s will.
Restoration takes vulnerability. We have to take responsibility for our actions.
What are you going to do to make things right?
Sorry isn’t enough. It is necessary to be vulnerable. Ask God to show you where you’ve fallen short and then own it.
Despite their fears, Joseph’s brothers found mercy.
The power of forgiveness is restoration.
When we’re willing to let go, as Joseph did, we can open our hands to receive more. It’s amazing what God has in store for us when we’re willing to let go.
Forgiveness is key.
God’s grace can heal!
Why does the Lord allow this to happen? We can find the answer to our whys in the Word of God. He works all things together according to the counsel of his own will.
God never said we wouldn’t go through bad times. He’ll be with us through them. He mends it back together. We won’t be the same – and that’s a good thing.
Life isn’t fair – it hurts sometimes.
Belief and trust in God will bring us to see things come together. How they’re worked out.
Don’t be afraid to step out in faith when he works in your life.
Thanks for enduring with me if you’ve read this far. I pray that you find the Goodness of God!
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 