The Opposite is True!

TEXT:

‘All these things are against me’ – Genesis 42:36

THOUGHT:

Jacob had never got over the loss of Joseph, the one he had made a coat of many colours for. Over 15 years later famine was sweeping the land and his sons return from buying wheat in Egypt minus one. They had left Simeon in prison with the words ringing in their ears, “He will not be released until you return with your youngest brother.” The thought of losing Rachel’s only other son Benjamin was too great, hence Jacob’s despairing cry, “All these things are against me!”

Yet in all this, God’s plan for their survival and eventual reconciliation with Joseph was being woven together like a tapestry.

• God has made a promise that all things are working together for good

The condition for this promise is that we love God and obey His calling for our life otherwise the opposite may happen as Jonah quickly found out.

Today as you are reading this teaching, whatever adversity may be affecting your life, say out loud right now, “All things are working together for good because I love God and I am called according to His purpose.”

• It is much easier in blessing to look back and see God’s hand than in adversity

In his position of prosperity and power Joseph could say to his brothers what they meant for evil, God was working through them for the good of everyone and for much more than that – the survival of the surrounding nations.

It is much harder to see anything that is good when everything is dark all around you. That is why Jacob despaired, yet nothing was further from the truth as he subsequently found out. When we do not understand what is happening and why, it is then that we have to trust God and take comfort from this promise, ‘All thing are working together for good.’

• Be careful not to give up, especially when it is time for breakthrough

Some do not wait around long enough for the good to appear. They forsake God and their faith, declaring it does not work. God always keeps the promises He makes. If we meet the conditions, then we can have absolute confidence that He will keep the promise as far as we are concerned.

The Apostle Paul wrote, ‘None of these things move me’ – Acts 20:24. With all the adversity he went through, who would have blamed him if he had given up? He did not, because he wrote, ‘And we know that all things work together for good.’ This was the reason he kept going on with God.

Perhaps you are reading this but do not know God or love Him, but you feel a sense of His presence. God is only a prayer away. Ask Him into your life right now. Humbly put your trust in Jesus as your personal Saviour. Then see Him fulfil this promise that all things will work together for good, for you too!