Intended for Good

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Southeast Christian Church

May 29, 2023

God's revealed will is more important than his specific will, meaning that too often we want to know the little nuances of God's will for something that isn't that consequential, but all the while we're ignoring very broad instruction given through Scripture. God's will involves everyday dedication because God's blessings can actually distract us from God's will.

We hear of this big compelling thing called God's will, but then we look at our reality and think life is pretty mundane. God has a will for you, but life is diapers and errands. God has a will for you, but life is school and homework. God has a will for you, but life is doctor's appointments and medications. God has a will for you, but life seems to be scratching one thing off the to-do list, just to add two more. When you look at your life and when you look inward at yourself, there is the temptation for a lot of us is to not feel so sure that God has a destiny for us.

When we come to the end of Joseph's story, our key verse is going to explicitly say that God has a will and a destiny for your life. But what does the fact that God has a destiny for us really mean? Does it change our faith? Does it change your week this week? Remember that Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but he rose to prominence and power in Egypt, and then had a family reunion where everyone experiences grace and reconciliation. In Genesis chapter 50, now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became fearful that Joseph would pay them back for all the wrong they did to him. But Joseph has a different perspective because he realizes that God worked everything out for good. This perspective in Genesis 50:20 is what sustains our faith so that it won't die amid trials and suffering. The Christian knows that one day we will see how God intended it all for good and that belief helps you not just survive as a Christian, but helps you thrive in your walk with Christ.

Reflection/Discussion Question: How does this perspective that Joseph had change the way you view trials and difficulties?

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