Embracing change
By Larry Platner
Day 20
Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. ESV
Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. ESV
20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. ESV
And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” ESV
I am sure none of us would like to have gone through the changes that Joseph experienced in his life. Life for him was just fine, the favoured son of his father, a receiver of dreams from God, the owner of a brilliant coat. Then all of sudden everything changed not just once but three times. How did Joseph react to these changes? He embraced them by embracing God. Whatever situation he found himself in, knowing that God was with him, he chose to be hard working, trustworthy and a loyal servant and in doing so he blessed others. Joseph did not know what lay ahead but he did know his God.
Yes change can be hard particularly when it is thrust upon us when we least expect it. Yet from what we learned above, God will be with us no matter what the situation. As a faithful and loving God He will turn the worst situation into a blessing not only for yourself but for others. So when change occurs, choose to embrace it, to walk the journey with God. In doing so you will grow in faith and love, be a blessing to others and enter into a new beginning that was far beyond your imagination.
Looking back what have been the most significant things you have learned from this devotional series?
A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are for. (Shedd, 1928)
