Genesis 50:20
I find it true that outlook really determines outcome many times. In Joseph, one finds a beautiful portrayal and foreshadowing of the life of Christ and what a representative of Christ should look like. In him, we discover beautiful lessons for the church and how the church ought to respond to the trials of life and to our enemies. Despite all the ugliness levied against him, Joseph triumphs and refuses to be hateful and full of bitterness and revenge. He remains God-focused and determined not to be sidetracked – driven by a dream that refused to die.
Instead of saying like his father “…all these things are against me” (Genesis 42:36), Joseph graciously declares and reasons, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20). Thank God for these two words in Scripture, “But God…”
If we should really grasp the understanding of this phrase in Scripture, our lives will truly never be the same. It will revolutionize all our lives, and our outlook and outcome will never be the same. It speaks of God sovereignly intervening into all our circumstances and masterfully turning things around for His eternal glory and our good. We purposefully, deliberately say it again – “But God …” But God stepped in; But God shifted it; But God redirected the arrows of disaster; But God torpedoed the enemy; But God rearranged it; But God wouldn’t let us drown; But God wouldn’t let us fail; But God showed us favor; But God showed up; But God fixed it; But God took over; But God capsized the enemy; But God had other plans; But God recalibrated our minds; He wouldn’t let us fall!
When Joseph’s brothers were rightfully expecting retribution for their evil deeds and feared for their lives, Joseph calmly said, “Now therefore, fear ye not: I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them” (Genesis 50:21). Joseph reminded them, “you intended to harm me… but God”(v.20). The evil inflicted upon Joseph was planned, deliberate and intentional yet despite all the evil contrivances, the hand of God can be seen prevailing and pushing back the enemy every time. The devil may have a plot to destroy you, but God has a plan of victory for your life. You shall get through this and prevail.
Can I just remind you in closing that His Word declares, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). The apostle takes it further by saying “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:38,39). For all the trials of life and the evil thrown at us from every angle, we keep it in check with two words at the heart of the gospel – “But God…” Church of God, stay focused! See the hand of God directing and superintending all the affairs of our lives, even in this twenty-first century, covid times. The virus still stalks the land – But God!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
November 13, 2021
