Soon after Joseph was sold to the Midianite caravans, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharoah's officer, the captain of the bodyguard (Genesis 37:36). Egypt was one of the most powerful kingdoms during that time. It was the place where many people from all over the world came to sell and trade goods, including slaves. Slaves were an important commodity during that time because they helped drove the economy. They were considered properties with no human rights. Being a slave was almost impossible to get out from. There were several ways to get out of slavery: buying their freedom from their owners, which was almost impossible, the owners would grant freedom to their slaves, and the king would give their freedom.
When Joseph was sold to slavery, he lost his freedom. He lost his privileges and comfort in life. God allowed this to happen to Joseph to strip him of himself so that God would fulfill His purpose and plan in His life. It was similar to what God did to his father, Jacob. God took away Jacob's mobility to run so that he could completely trust God with his life. It was only then that God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through Jacob. With Joseph, he would learn to trust God with his very life because no one else he could turn to for help. In my situation, I felt Joseph's experienced when my mother passed away. It was then that I completely trust in Jesus because I knew that no one else could help but God alone. Although my father was still alive at that time, I knew that our family would never be the same again.
There are times when we face situations in our lives that do not make sense. Sometimes we even doubt God's existence, or if we believe in God, we doubt His goodness. But it is during our desperate needs that God works His purpose in our lives. It is not easy to see it this way when we are in the middle of our desperate situations, but we would realize and appreciate God's wonderful plan in our lives after we go through them. God wanted to lead Joseph to Egypt, but it was through slavery that God would lead him there. God had to work in Joseph's heart first before He could fulfill His wonderful plan in and through His life.
Ask yourself these questions: What do I need to do when I am in desperate situations? Do I trust God with all my heart? Do I believe that God fulfills His great purpose in my life through my desperate situations?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you that you have a wonderful plan in my life, but please help me to trust you when you allow sufferings in my life. I believe that you are in control of my life and that you allow things for a reason. You are constantly working in my heart and teaching me your ways so that you can fulfill your wonderful plan in my life. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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