There May Be a Time…

Joseph, in Genesis, had many undeserved ordeals in his young life.   He was hated by his brothers.  They sold him into slavery. where he was later jailed. Finally, however,  the hardships he experienced were turned into triumphs.  He was made the second ruler under the mighty Pharaoh and was eventually able to help save Egypt and his family from a devastating famine.

It was at the end of his tribulations that we see how God used all those terrible acts that were done to that innocent man.  The times of his growth and testing were changed to times he learned more about himself and life. Joseph learned:

• There may be a time not to hold on to hurt emotions, but to let them out and have joy.
  “Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.” Gen. 45:1-2
• There may be a time to forget what was done in the past. All the terrible things that happened in his life were to help preserve his own and his family’s life.
  “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.” Gen. 45:5
• There may be a time our preferences may have to change. We may have to move out of our comfort zone so we can be used by God, as did Israel and his family.
  “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: 10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:” Gen. 45:9-10
• There is a time to forget what happened in the past and live for a different future. Joseph forgave his brothers’ cruelty towards him, and even helped them.
  “Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” Gen. 45:15
  
  This certainly coincides with the same principle taught in the New Testament:
  “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Mat. 5:44
  “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Luke 6:28
• There may be a time that a lifestyle changes, and one loses what they had in the past. Possessions may be lost, but God may have others he allows you to have:
  “Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” Gen. 45:20
• There may be a time one has to let God provide for us differently. Often His new way for us is better.
  “And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.” Gen. 45:21-22
• There may be a time to be surprised. Things may turn out differently than was expected when God makes changes in your life.
  “And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: 28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” Gen. 45:27-28

Like Joseph, most of our lives did not turn out as we first envisioned them. Our journey was not always on smooth, paved roads.  Most of us traveled over many of life’s “bumps”. Life usually can be rough.

If one played the victim, blamed others, and held a grudge one may still be stuck in the ditch he originally fell into or was pushed into.  However, those with Joseph’s accepting and unbegrudging attitude may be able to see and experience the plan God has for their life.  What is your attitude towards the roadblocks in your life?