Genesis 45:1-6, 50:20 (NIV) 1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 56 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 20 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
The sovereignty of God has to do with the power of God, the rule of God, the control of God, and the way God gets things done in this world. But, how do we picture God’s sovereign control at work in the world? When we think of God’s control in our world we are likely to see a god who is pushing buttons to make things happen. But, when Jesus talked about the sovereignty of God, He talked about the Kingdom of God. And when Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God He usually spoke in stories, one of which is the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph had it in his heart and mind that God was with him, that God had a special plan for his life.
That was the conviction that stayed with Joseph even during the dark and evil times of betrayal by his brothers, slavery to Potiphar, and imprisonment. This conviction allowed Joseph to see beyond what was happening in the every day events of his life to see the sovereign God at work.
Can you see it? Can you see beyond the world and see that God is Sovereign? Can you see beyond the hectic schedule that you are trying to keep, beyond the bills that have to be paid, beyond the dead end job, or the disturbing report card your child brought home? Can you see beyond? Joseph did, perhaps because of the dreams he had or because of something he heard from his father Jacob.
For us the evidence that helps us believe that God is sovereign is the presence of Jesus, who was crucified on a day when God seemed to have lost complete control, when the sky was blackened and all goodness seemed a sham. What may be intended for evil God can intend for good. God is sovereign; in the midst of human freedom God is in control.
If we are confident that God is sovereign what difference does it make in our day?
From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope August 6, 2000
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell
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