Only the Beginning

Genesis 50:20 ESV

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Joseph’s response to his brothers, is always convicting, challenging, and inspiring. To have those who have robbed you of so much, have taken so many years of blessing from you, is the dream of every sinful man who has been wronged. He attributes his slavery, false accusations, prison, and all the hardships he has endured, to one being. Recognizing that the men before him were the means, and God brought it about, that “all things” work for the good of those who love him, including all the evil that is endured, by him and by his father.

The blessing of reading from different sections of scripture as you read through it is that you start to make connections that would not normally appear to you or manifest themselves in your thoughts. Coming to the end of the Gospel according to Mathew, we find the taunt of the people “He trusts in God” (Matthew 27:43). This taunt rang loudly in my ears this morning. Partly because of the message given on Sunday, looking at how the people of Israel did not trust God, to provide for them when things got difficult. Jude reminded us that although God had saved them, they were not his people, they were destined for destruction. They spent forty years complaining that God was not good, he could not be trusted to take care of them. They would rather trust their Egyptian masters. Christ refused to use his power to make bread for himself while fasting in the desert. He would trust God for his provision and care.

Trusting in God for his care and provision lead to death on the cross. Betrayed and abandoned by those he had trained and loved for the last three years. How quickly I want to judge the pages of time. Watching as wave after wave of scandal plague this person or that corporate body, as if justice is being served on earth. If there is one truth every Christian should know it is that Justice is not served on earth. Yes, we should seek it but we will fall short, every time. Full justice is served on the last day when you stand before the throne of God. When the wicked are judged for their crimes and the righteous appeal to the greatest earthly injustice, and say that was the justice I deserved.

Jesus trusted God to the point of death. Even his mockers bear witness that they do not think God is worth trusting. Such are all those who think that earthly pain and pleasure are the goals of God and man. Even as I bemoan my lack and rejoice in my abundance, I give evidence of my lack of faith, and my heart of stone that my God wants me to be happy hear, now, and in the hear after. Let us trust in God and rejoice in our affliction that we might join the tide of Christian experience, and Christ himself, declaring that God is good… and All the time…

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO