Through God's Lens
Genesis 37:5-11 (NIV)
"Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.' His brothers said to him, 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said."
In the life of Joseph, we see another powerful example of God guiding someone through a series of events that didn't immediately make sense. Joseph had a dream where his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed down to his, signaling his future leadership. But instead of jumping immediately to the fulfillment of this dream, Joseph experienced a long and painful journey. His brothers’ jealousy led to betrayal, and he was sold into slavery, wrongly accused, and imprisoned. Each event seemed like a setback, but looking back, we can see how God was orchestrating everything to bring Joseph to a place of influence and purpose in Egypt.
When Joseph was in the pit, sold into slavery, and later thrown into prison, these events weren’t understood as part of God’s plan. It seemed like the opposite of the dream Joseph had received. Yet, as we know from the end of the story, God was using each of those circumstances to prepare Joseph for his role in saving the nation of Israel. The series of events that appeared to be failures or injustices were in fact steps leading Joseph to a position of power where he could fulfill God's greater purpose.
Just like Joseph, we often face life events that seem frustrating, discouraging, or confusing. But we must remember that God’s plans are not always immediately clear. We may not understand why things are happening the way they are, but when we filter life’s circumstances through the lens of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and trusted voices, we begin to see His hand at work in the midst of the chaos. Just as Joseph’s life journey wasn’t wasted, neither are ours. Every step is part of a larger plan.
If you’re in the middle of a difficult season, take heart. God is still speaking, and He is using your circumstances to guide you toward His purpose. Trust that He is in control, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Just like Joseph, God is leading you in ways that you may not understand, but they are part of His perfect plan.
Prayer:
Father, help me to trust in Your guidance, even when the circumstances of my life don’t make sense. I know that You are in control and that every event, whether good or bad, is part of Your plan for me. Help me to filter my life’s circumstances through Your Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowing that You are always working behind the scenes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, 'Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.' His brothers said to him, 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said."
In the life of Joseph, we see another powerful example of God guiding someone through a series of events that didn't immediately make sense. Joseph had a dream where his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed down to his, signaling his future leadership. But instead of jumping immediately to the fulfillment of this dream, Joseph experienced a long and painful journey. His brothers’ jealousy led to betrayal, and he was sold into slavery, wrongly accused, and imprisoned. Each event seemed like a setback, but looking back, we can see how God was orchestrating everything to bring Joseph to a place of influence and purpose in Egypt.
When Joseph was in the pit, sold into slavery, and later thrown into prison, these events weren’t understood as part of God’s plan. It seemed like the opposite of the dream Joseph had received. Yet, as we know from the end of the story, God was using each of those circumstances to prepare Joseph for his role in saving the nation of Israel. The series of events that appeared to be failures or injustices were in fact steps leading Joseph to a position of power where he could fulfill God's greater purpose.
Just like Joseph, we often face life events that seem frustrating, discouraging, or confusing. But we must remember that God’s plans are not always immediately clear. We may not understand why things are happening the way they are, but when we filter life’s circumstances through the lens of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and trusted voices, we begin to see His hand at work in the midst of the chaos. Just as Joseph’s life journey wasn’t wasted, neither are ours. Every step is part of a larger plan.
If you’re in the middle of a difficult season, take heart. God is still speaking, and He is using your circumstances to guide you toward His purpose. Trust that He is in control, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Just like Joseph, God is leading you in ways that you may not understand, but they are part of His perfect plan.
Prayer:
Father, help me to trust in Your guidance, even when the circumstances of my life don’t make sense. I know that You are in control and that every event, whether good or bad, is part of Your plan for me. Help me to filter my life’s circumstances through Your Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowing that You are always working behind the scenes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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