2023_11_15 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Ezekiel 1, Acts 8, Ezekiel 34, Revelation 4
For me, one of the most personally challenging statements in the Bible, is found in Genesis 50:20. Joseph, who is now second in command of all of Egypt is facing his brothers, who years earlier had sold him as a slave to get rid of him. After years of slavery and prison (on false charges) Joseph was positioned to come to the Egyptian king’s aid and then rescue the nation. [This is an amazing story of God’s sovereign plan coming together. You can read it in Genesis chapters 37-50] The brothers were sure that Joseph would be set on revenge because of how deeply they wronged him, but instead Joseph said this to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 (NLT) The fact that Joseph could see God’s purposes as more important than his own agenda, or exacting revenge is incredible to me. That is the kind of man I want to be.
In Acts 8 we read about Saul, before he became a follower of Jesus, when he was leading the persecution of the early believers. “A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.” Acts 8:1–3 (NLT)
What we discover is that as the church fled and scattered, they spread the good news about Jesus everywhere they went. What their persecutors intended for evil, our God used for good. Just like Joseph, the early followers endured serious trouble, trials, and suffering but in the big picture, God was working to accomplish His good purposes. Regardless of our circumstances, we can trust God to be at work doing amazing things. The safest thing to do is trust, endure, and watch!
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:28–29 (NLT)
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor