From my journal… (with a little editing).
The Biblical story of Joseph in Egypt intrigues me (And probably you, too.)
Joseph grew up in a dysfunctional home where he was eventually betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. In Egypt he served as a highly favored servant in the household of the Egyptian official, Potiphar. Eventually, he was falsely accused of taking advantage of his master’s wife and was imprisoned. He earned responsibilities in prison, where we know he longed for his freedom.
His story stirs questions in my mind.
Did he have any hope of being restored to a position higher than that of lowly slave? He had been young and handsome when Potiphar bought him to serve in his house. Had the years in prison taken such a toll on Joseph’s appearance and strength that his desirability as a servant would be diminished? Did his desire for freedom from prison bars dare include the hope of ever seeing his family again?
We don’t know. We do know that Joseph maintained trust and hope in God’s ability to deliver him.
And we know that God redeemed Joseph’s story. Joseph is freed and promoted to become the second most powerful man in the world; responsible for saving the populace from the deadly effects of a seven year drought and famine. Joseph’s position of authority preserved the very lives of his father’s family.
Yes, Joseph saw a lot of his life restored, but he didn’t see everything. He didn’t live long enough to see his father’s family be delivered from Egypt to become the powerful nation of Israel, the nation of blessing for the world. He didn’t see his father’s family line lead to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
But nevertheless, it all happened. Because Joseph allowed God to write his story with God’s pen of redemption.
Can we imagine Joseph’s joy (and humility) in eternity as he sees how God wrote the chapter of his life into the story of hope for all mankind?
How does Joseph’s story encourage me today? God is writing the story of my life. And it’s also a story of redemption, because of Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
I like to believe that there will come a time in eternity when each person’s story will be told in its full glory, by the Master Story-teller. With His limitless ability to communicate, He will reveal how each life has been woven intricately into the fabric of His story as a fulfillment of His purposes and glory.
I’m sure that when I hear Him tell my story, I will be humbled and tearfully protest “No, no, my life hasn’t amounted to all THAT! Look at the countless times I’ve failed You!”
And I dare imagine His response: “Son, because you have loved me, because you have accepted that I had purpose for your life, I have written your story with My pen. And My story of your life is your true story!”
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