Prayer Journal
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid, Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:19
There's no way Joseph would have ever wished for the things that happened to him: left for dead, made a slave and transferred to a pagan country to spend the rest of his days; betrayed by his brothers and forgotten by his father, adopted by the enemy and trained to serve a godless king.
With all the bad things that happened to Joseph, one might conclude that his life was meaningless and his fate a turn of bad luck. But God had something entirely different in mind for this son of Judah; the plight of Joseph would provide a stage for redeeming those who once betrayed him.
Perhaps you can relate a little to Joseph's plight. The path you travelled in the past might be littered with diappointment, failure and misplaced expectations while the future looks even dimmer. Hope is fading and you can't concentrate on the present or even plan for the future because you're still grieving over the past.
Joesph came to the point he had to put the past behind him if he was going to be able to serve God in the present. That doesn't mean he never thought about the past; it meant he would not allow the disappointments of the past steal the joy of the Lord he knew in the present.
Joseph had two children, born during the years of fruitfulness in the land; When Manesseh was born, Joseph said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." When Ephraim was born, Joseph said "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."
May you have the wisdom to forget the things that hold you back, while living in the present and enjoying the blessing of the Lord without regret.
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes
from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International
Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2002
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
