Joseph: the testimony of God’s goodness

13 July 2023 Reflection

“But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.” - Genesis 45:5

Joseph was another character in the Bible who endured lots of hardships in his life, though he was of no fault. He was scorned by his brothers, mocked him for his dreams, threw him in a well then sold him to slavery. As if that was enough, he suffered more in Egypt, as he was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.

Suffering after suffering, it seemed like a never ending cycle. Perhaps the trials of life Joseph would have been able to endure, but the betrayal he received from his brothers was understandably unacceptable and unforgivable. Can family members really do these things to their own kin? It may be hard to understand and accept but sadly it is a reality that is persistent until today.

The irony of Joseph’s story is that while it details the series of misfortunes of Joseph that may entice the readers to focus on the sufferings he has endured, the story puts emphasis on the Truth about God’s goodness and the fulfillment of His plans. Rather than becoming highly invested on the moments of Joseph’s struggles, the story encourages the readers to look at the larger-than-life message and the subtle lesson that is according to God’s perspective.

The message of Joseph’s story is this:

God can make something good even out of situations that was intended to cause harm and suffering.

This could be clearly seen on the after-effects of the sufferings in Joseph’s life, the culmination of which was when he was assigned the second-in-command of the mighty empire of Egypt. He was put in such a position where he was able to save not only Egypt from famine, but also every nation affected, including his family.

The atrocious acts that his brothers did to Joseph that was supposed to make the rest of his life miserable paved the way to eventually make his life even more blessed and abundant, so much so that he was able to become a blessing for others as well.

Joseph’s story can deeply resonate in our lives too. Often in life we always think that we are at the end of our trails, and the roads ahead will most likely lead to a series of dead ends and heartbreaks, but in truth as we traverse the roads of uncertainties most of the time it leads us to new paths of redirections and breakthroughs. And we will not be able to see these new roads appear unless we allow ourselves to put our trust and faith in God who constantly carves new ways for us even amidst unknown terrains.

When tragedy struck our family, the situation made me easily put my focus on my struggle and see my circumstance as the defining moment of my life. As a result, I failed to see God working even on my seasons of despair and desolation. Instead of looking at God for refuge and comfort, I looked at myself and my situation. It made me see myself as weak and pitiful. Eventually it drifted me away from everybody and my faith.

But God, in His mercy and relentless pursuing, weaved His way through my suffering and found me and never let go of me. Now, as I look back at the tragedy that had befallen our family, I realized that it was God’s grace that guided me to where I am supposed to be now. Like Joseph, my suffering paved the way for me to see God in a perspective that is different from what I grew up with. I began to see God becoming a God of relationship rather than a God of religion. Had I not experienced the ordeal, I would still be stuck at my former self, still wallowing in self-pity and sadness.

With God changing the pain of the loss that I experienced into my testimony, it enables me to share the blessings that I received and be a reflection of God’s hope and compassion to others.

Joseph’s story interwoven in my story encourages me to declare that God’s goodness is still evident even on circumstances that tell me otherwise. His goodness and faithfulness may be hard to see at times because of too much pain and struggle, but it does not mean that He is absent nor He is missing.

All it takes is finding the trust and hope and firmly holding on to them that in the end, everything will be good not according to my own strength and terms, but according to His will and timeline.

Dear Papa,

I praise and thank You for constantly guiding my life, though at times my choices and decisions overshadow my awareness of You. Still You have Your ways to make Your presence known, and You continue to bless me in ways I do not expect.

You have shown me through Your servant, Joseph, that You make everything good, even in the worst of situations. Your plans are for my good even when You allow struggle and discomfort. I may not see it that way most of the time, but as I choose to trust and find hope in You, may my perspective be changed to Yours, so that instead of becoming consumed by doubt and fear, I will find joy and peace knowing that You are in control.

Set my heart to focus on my blessings instead of my failures, and may I choose to declare Your goodness despite pain, suffering, loss, and fear.

All these I pray in the name of Brother Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, together with the Holy Spirit, my Advocate, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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