Bible Passage: Joseph Provides for His Brothers and Family – Genesis 45:1-8
Get your Freebie: The Live Like It’s True Workbook
Mentioned Resources
- 3 Ways Comparison Derails Us – Shannon’s Episode on the So Much More Podcast with Jodie
- Jesus Under Arrest, Yet in Complete Control {Lindsay Schott} – Lindsay Schott’s Episode on Live Like It’s True Podcast with Shannon
- Woman Who Identified the Wrong Man as Criminal – Story about Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton Part 1 and Part 2.
- The Sound of Freedom Movie
- “Unpacking Forgiveness” by Chris Brauns
- Trust: A Study of Joseph for Persevering Through Life’s Challenges by Jodie Niznik
Transcript
Music: Cade Popkin
Jodie Niznik
over twelve years. She helps people create space for God in their lives through her Scripture
meditation podcast and equips them to take another step with Jesus through her Real People,
Real Faith Bible studies and teaching. You can connect with her at jodieniznik.com.
Connect with Jodie:
Website: http://www.jodieniznik.com/
Instagram: creatingspaceforgod
Podcast: So Much More: Creating Space for God
Stunning Providence
Joseph is a stunning story of providence. In our conversation about Joseph’s response to his brothers, after the tables have turned and he’s now the one in power, Jodie said:
What’s surprising to me is that three times Joseph says to his brothers, “It wasn’t you, it was God.
God sent me here, God sent me here, God sent me here.”
That’s stunning to be able to get to that place where you can look at the worst circumstances that have happened to you, the worst pain that someone has tried to inflict upon you and recognize God has indeed used it for good.
God tells us he does this in Romans, chapter eight. He works all things for good. Joseph is living that out for us right now when he says God allowed it and, more than that. He says God sent him ahead.
It’s hard, when you’re in the middle of the pain, to imagine that God could ever use such pain for good. But when you doubt it’s possible, consider the story of Joseph. Turn it over in your mind. Think of what this story says about God, his sovereignty, and how he uses even the painful things to bring about his good and kind purposes. Purposes like people not starving. Purposes like God’s promises being kept. Purposes like brothers being reconciled, and families being restored.
Are you staring down a painful situation in your life? Have you been betrayed by someone? What would change in your life if you truly believed that God was sovereign and that he was working even this together for good in your life?
