So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.  Genesis 37:26  NIV

Now if you have never read the story of Joseph, I strongly encourage you to do so.  It is a wonderful story which begins in Genesis chapter 37 and ends in Genesis chapter 50.  Our scripture passage today is just a tiny piece of the story.  You see Joseph was born when his father was older and he was born of Rachael, his father’s favorite wife.  That’s a whole other story, but anyway, his father showed him favor by making him a very ornate robe of many colors (perhaps you heard Dolly Parton sing about it).  Anyway, the brothers were already a bit jealous of him but then he starts telling them of these prophetic dreams he’s having where his parents and his brothers bow down to him.  This only fuels the fire of his brothers hatred towards him so they throw him into a well and plan to kill him.  But, then they see these merchants from another tribe passing through and decide to sell him to them so that they can sell him into slavery in Egypt.  Now this is as bad as it gets right?  You are basically human trafficked by your own brothers.  Well Joseph has several ups and downs in Egypt but spoiler alert-he winds up in second command to the king and saves Egypt and his entire family from starvation during a severe famine.  Joseph went through some hard times no doubt, but God had a plan.

Now if ever there was a testimony to the verse, Romans 8:28 (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose), Joseph was it.  You see Joseph met the qualifiers.  He loved God and was called according to his purpose.  So he did what was right, even in the worst of circumstances and was richly rewarded.

Nowhere in the Bible are we promised this wonderful, super easy life when we accept Christ.  We are down here to slave and work for God.  Our job is to bring as many people to heaven with us as we can.  That’s where we get our reward, and it’s eternal. Joseph was sold into slavery, he was imprisoned, not so good right?  But God had a plan.  Joseph’s life wasn’t falling apart, God was putting it all into place.

I think back to one of the lowest points in my life.  It was the time in my life when I was in church every time the doors were open, but my heart was not where it needed to be.  I was putting on a good show, but I had not truly committed my life to Christ.  I wasn’t living the way God wanted me to live.  When I finally let go of the sin that was separating me from God, it was like being released from prison.  I imagine that is how Joseph felt when he was not only released from prison, but made ruler over Egypt.

God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us.  Where we mess up is when we separate ourselves from God with our sin and we don’t live according to that purpose.  But, when we love the Lord with all our heart, and give him our all, and when we live according to the purpose He has for us, it’s the best case scenario.  This is because we know that He is working all things for our good, even the bad stuff.  So when you know that you are living in the way that pleases God and doing what God has called you to do, rest assured that even when you face bad times that God has good plans for you.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

God never promises us that we won’t have troubles in our life (John 16:33).  He does, however, promise that He has good plans for us.  He also promises that He is working all things for our good.

Now I don’t know about you, but like Joseph, I have been in the well.  I have lived my life in the pits.  I got there by allowing my sin to separate me from God.  It took me a while, but I finally learned that if I do my best to stay close to God and stay in His will, that things always work out for the good.

Thank you God for allowing a sinner like me to be called your child.  Thank you for forgiving my stupid mistakes and loving me in spite of them.  Thank you for working all things out for my good.

If you are reading this and going through a tough time, draw close to God.  Submit to His will for your life and resist the temptation of the devil (James 4:7-10).  Talk to God through prayer.  Read the Bible and learn of all that God tells us and promises us.

Even what seems like the worst case scenario works for our good when we love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  I have seen this in my life many times.  Trust in God and know that He wants what’s best for you.  You are His child and He loves you.  Accept the good that He has to offer.

Have a great day!