A Bigger Intention
February 1, 2019
But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 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 50:19-20 NLT
When you live God’s way, when you are like your Father in heaven, you are a standout. People can’t ignore the witness of your life. It is bold font in a fine-print world. In order to have that witness, you must believe that God is with you. You must believe that His purposes are good. You must believe that He has a bigger intention than your comfort or happiness—He is doing something amazing and redemptive through even the terrible things other people do.
J. Alan Redpath stated his faith that God was always working in this way:
There is nothing
no circumstance, no trouble, no testing
that can ever touch me until, first of all it has gone past
God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come
that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may
not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become
panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as
coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of
blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb
me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will
cause me to fret
for I shall rest in the joy of what my
Lord is! That is the rest of victory!
Joseph believed that. Because he did, he was able to forgive his brothers and be used of God to save an entire nation, even the lives of his own family and beloved father. The choice to live in this way is the greatest witness we will ever have. It saves lives, families, and destinies.
- How would your life change if you truly believed that God is with you in all situations?
- Who might be affected and won if you get through your circumstances like Jesus?
- Pray. Surrender. Choose the responses today that tomorrow will find you glad you did.