I find it hard to define what I want to say today. I think the best thing I can say is that it’s about building a proper perspective or viewpoint. Troubling times often disturb, disrupt and even attempt to destroy the way a person sees things.
I really believe Satan rejoices when this comes about. I have discovered a two-word Bible phrase that helps me obtain a proper perspective. Our story today is about Joseph and his brothers. They hated him, sold him as a slave, and told their father Jacob that he had been killed by a wild creature. Years later, after suffering false accusations and imprisonment, because of his faith in God, Joseph finds himself second in charge over Egypt!
A terrible famine has reached his family in Israel, and his brothers are sent to Egypt to purchase food. They do not recognize Joseph, and eventually he reveals his identity and the whole family of 70 moves to Egypt!
After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers are afraid that Joseph will seek vengeance, and they come to him to repent. “But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.’” Genesis 50:20-21
They are upset, uptight, confused and anxious. Do you ever have times like that? Note Joseph’s two words. But God has good in mind! We go through times of fear, anxiety, and worry, but God has it! We hear, “The world falling apart. No one cares about anyone. All are going to hell in a hand basket!” … But God has something else in mind!
“Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 2:3-5
Just look at the world around us! It’s been called helpless and hopeless. But God has something else in mind and we can be part of it! Yes, it’s all about how we look at things. Let us see through God’s eyes and from his viewpoint! Let us even take time to say the words… but God!
Bruce Henderson is the pastor/minister of Airport Road Church of Christ in Carson City.