Wait

Sometimes an aha moment happens, and it can change perspective. This happened to me over the course of just a couple days, when it kept being reaffirmed. But that’s how God’s truths are. They are alive and active and working in us and through us. And when we are ready to receive them, they will take on a whole new meaning.

I share here because His life changing truth, love, and words are not just for me (while at the same time they can seem to be just for me). It’s why we can read the same Bible passage over the course of many years and think ‘I don’t remember that from before’.

Today’s words were from an unlikely passage, because I thought I knew it so well. But with the help of a friend and two different authors, I saw the story in a whole new light.

It’s the story of Joseph – you know the coat of many colors – the unfair treatment – the rise to prominence. I always thought of him as the victim, as we usually think of ourselves in the hard stuff. But Lynn Austin in her book Pilgrimage points out that the Jewish people see him in the story as selfish, a spoiled brat – and who had a God-given dream that he decided to take into his own hands and make it come to pass.

She goes on to say, “Before God could fulfill His promise and raise Joseph up, Joseph would first have to go down into slavery and exile and suffering.”

I encourage you to check out her book, as she develops the actual text of the story beautifully. Joseph had to wait – a long time. As did so many others that God so lovingly chose to put life stories of in the Bible. Daniel lived 70 years in exile. Paul lived the rest of his life with his ‘thorn in the flesh’.

Yet each knew God’s promises were true. They still are today. We may have to wait – a long time – and we may never see the fulfillment we hope for. But will we choose to trust God’s plan for us even amidst suffering?

Every Word of His is true. Just as He worked all for good for those who called on His name thousands or hundreds of years ago, He is still doing the same today. God does not change. He is always faithful. “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV emphasis mine)