“Even when circumstances betray you, God will never betray you.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today –May 30, 2023
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21
Obstacles. Everyone experiences them. The rich, the poor, the tall, the short, the confident, the insecure. People who live in the country and people who live in the city. People from the north, south, east, west, and every country in the world experience obstacles.
We experience obstacles in our careers, relationships, ministries, money, and in the fulfillment of our dreams and desires. Sometimes it seems that obstacles will ruin us, destroy us, reduce us, or steal all we want to accomplish. Some obstacles are easily overcome, and others make us feel as if the obstacles will overcome us.
But good news! No matter the obstacle, God is still—and always—in charge. He is not surprised by any obstacles you experience, and they cannot keep Him from accomplishing His sovereign plans for your life.
Remember Joseph? He had several dreams that God was going to promote him. But shortly after revealing his dreams to his brothers (who hated him), Joseph’s life obstacles started.
First, his brothers threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery. Next, he was accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, and he was unjustly thrown in jail for years. Finally, he was forgotten in prison by the cupbearer after Joseph interpreted a dream for him and the cupbearer was released from prison.
But still God’s sovereignty and favor toward Joseph didn’t stop. The Father even used the evil actions of men (which certainly would have seemed like insurmountable obstacles!) to promote Joseph. Did you catch that? Evil was harnessed to get Joseph right where he needed to be . . . into Pharoah’s house where he served as his personal servant—and where he saved his brother’s lives and the lives of many others from famine! The Lord never left Joseph.
When God has a destiny for you, a plan for you to follow, a career for you to apprehend, a ministry for you to lead, or a dream for you to realize, nothing will be able to stop God. There isn’t a person alive, or any natural or supernatural force that can stop you from getting where God wants you to go.
It’s important to remember that to be an overcomer, you need to reframe your perspective about the opposition and obstacles in your story. You must see them from God’s perspective. You must focus on the Lord, not on your obstacles. Don’t view opposition from others or the difficulty of your circumstances as blocks to God’s good plan for your life. Instead, see them as part of a sovereign plan God is weaving into your personal story that will guide you onto His path for you.
When others betray you, don’t choose a victim mentality. Don’t believe the lie that you are ruined or have no power. Instead, remember that no matter what happens to you, God is still in charge of your destiny, promotion, and life. Call out to Him and believe Him for a deliverance and His life-giving perspective!
When an adversary or someone does you wrong, when circumstances don’t turn out the way you like, God won’t abandon you. His faithfulness doesn’t end when someone else’s does. His goodness does not disappear when experiences seem hopeless. Even when your journey doesn’t unfold the way you imagine, it doesn’t nullify God’s favor. Even when circumstances betray you, God will never betray you.
“So Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come near to me, please.’ And they came near. And he said, ‘I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life’” (Genesis 45:4-5).
Prayer
Lord, thank you that there is nothing that can stop your sovereign plan for my life. I thank you that you are always with me, always faithful, and that your favor never ends. I trust you. Amen.
Application
Make a list of the obstacles you are experiencing on paper or in your mind, then praise God that He can overcome any—and all—obstacles!
Related Reading
Matthew 10:29-31; Isaiah 45:7-9; Proverbs 16:33
Worship Resource
Chris Tomlin: How Great is Our God
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