now joseph was governor over all the land. he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. and joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. [genesis 42:6]
joseph’s prophetic dreams fulfilled!
after 20 years, joseph’s two fateful dreams have come to pass. if there was any doubt God could see his will done, it’s gone now! through circumstances joseph could not have predicted, his brother’s “ears of grain” have finally bowed down before his. what a beautiful picture of God’s sovereignty! did God make joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery to bring this about? we know that God himself tempts no one (james 1:13), and yet his sovereign will presides over that sinful act. romans 8:28 says and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. does God will every evil act, or does he turn such evil acts so that they lead to good? that is a mystery that we may never understand, but we can be assured that God’s sovereignty will always reign! God is not slow as man counts slowness, but his divine timing may confuse us; oh, the grace to trust him more! these lyrics can be a great comfort:
’tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to take him at his word
just to rest upon his promise,
just to know, “thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how i trust him!
how i’ve proved him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
oh, for grace to trust him more!
Lord, our Lord! teach us to trust you more each day. teach us to trust in your timing, no matter how “slow” you appear to fulfill your promises. teach us to endure and abide in your promise, and to encourage one another in the midst of their suffering. we cannot trust you on our own; please help!
~stephen hall