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God wants to stand beside us whatever we’re going through.
Let me ask, so what’s going on in your life? Yes, I’m really asking you that question. Are you in a good place, a bad place? The story of Joseph in the Old Testament, Genesis chapters 30-50, is a reminder that God wants to stand beside us whatever we’re going through. In the book of Genesis the historical journey of Joseph is a rollercoaster. Many of us feel that’s our journey as well. The Biblical story of Joseph is a reminder that God wants to stand beside us whatever we’re going through. Whatever the circumstance, God is ready. Joseph’s life is dotted with one recurring idea: “The Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:21 CEB). We, you and I, have that same love and power available to us. Our God is the God of the good, the bad, and the ugly, just as He was with Joseph.
Joseph’s teen years were happy and God built a spiritual foundation that would sustain him in what was to come. How is your spiritual foundation? It doesn’t matter when the construction began. It matters who is the contractor. Are you seeking God’s leadership, or are you focusing on a “self-help” plan. One of the tools God gave us is the church. Come together for spiritual food, fellowship with those of like mind, and build the desire to follow His example to spread God’s love to others. Joseph’s life included being pulled out of a pit, thrown into prison for years. Then Joseph was whisked out of prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dream and promoted to the head of the kingdom. The last decades of Joseph’s life were full of power and purpose. Reconciled with his brothers and reunited with his father. God wants to stand beside us, just as He did Joseph, whatever we’re going through. His Word (the Bible) and wisdom is the answer to your situation, whatever it is, good, bad, or ugly. John 10:11 NKJV says “I am the good shepherd”.
Remember any messages you’ve seen on t-shirts at the airport, or while taking a walk? Here are some I have noted: “I’m So Grumpy I’m Not Even Talking to Myself.” Someone jogging by displayed on his t-shirt: “I’m Not Grumpy. The People Around Me Are Too Happy.” A young teen girl’s t-shirt message: “I’m Not Weird. I’m a Limited Edition.” What is your message? Simply in capital letters: “WHATEVER”? When our life isn’t flowing the way we expect or want in today’s society our response would be ... “whatever”. When we use that word it is usually a sarcastic expression of resignation. In Joseph’s case he had resolved to trust God whatever the circumstances. In Genesis 50: 20 CEB Joseph said to his brothers, “don’t be afraid you planned something bad for me, as God produced something good from it”. In Philippians 4:11 NKJV the apostle Paul shared the same attitude. “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” WOW!! Turn our troubles into something good. Hmm, say “Amen”, let it be so!!
We’ve experienced the good and the bad, but “the ugly” — really?
Ugly: offensive or unpleasing to any sense; morally objectionable: repulsive; likely to cause inconvenience or discomfort.
Now I understand when we say it couldn’t get any worse than this and ... it does. It gets ugly! When our problems are prolonged beyond endurance, what happens to our trust? We are not the first generation that has dealt with...“the ugly”. Romans 5 is a powerful chapter, you’ll want to start at 4:23. I will share verses 5: 3-4 CEB “... we even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope.” Verse 2 references God’s grace (love) for us through faith. Whatever you are going through, God’s Word and wisdom is the answer to your situation, whatever it is — good, bad, or ugly. Matt.28:20 Jesus promised “...in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ... I am with you always, Amen.”
I pray this week you seek God’s presence.
Pastor Dorothy Hotchkiss of Webster’s Crossing UMC and Groveland Federated Parish.
dhotch2@frontiernet.net 585/406-7030 cell/text
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