And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Remember, we either believe what the Bible tells us or we do
not. According to this verse, God is working in all things in our lives for
our good. When you are praying for a season and it seems the answer is not
coming, remember, God is still working in it and He is working in it for your
good. Joseph sat in that cell for over ten years and God was working in all
things for him, for his good. God had a plan for his life. Joseph would be the
tool God would use to save the world from a deadly seven year famine, including
the chosen people of
But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50: 19-21
Could we have been so gracious to those who had done so much wrong to us? I am sure Joseph could not have been so gracious early on in his wilderness. I am sure that he sat many a night up in his cell, wondering why this had befallen him. Many a night dealing with the anger and resentment that must have been trying to fester in his soul towards the men who sold him into slavery; his own brothers. But God was working on him in that cell too. He was working on him for his good. For His future plans for him.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
And so God is working on us as well in our cells. In the prisons we make for ourselves in this harsh cold world. In the slavery we can cast ourselves into. We turn toward God and earnestly pray but to seemingly no avail but remember, not receiving a "yes" answer does not mean God has not answered. The answer might be "wait, I am still working on something in you, for your good and the plans I have for you and the rest of your life."
And sometimes the answer is "no." Do you remember growing up and being told "no" by your parents? I remember I couldn't stand the answer of "because I said so." Now as an adult I understand that they simply knew better than I did at that time. It is the same way with God in our lives beloved. He simply knows better. Why? Because God sees all time, He is above all time. He sees our beginning and our end. Take for example, we are praying for a job we really want. We covet the job because it will pay us a lot of money or give us great benefits. We see what is directly before us only. God sees everything! He sees what will happen to us if we were to get that job. He sees how it will provide undue stress that will lead to health problems, or marital problems, or will pull you away from church. The problem is that we only are dealing with what is directly in front of us; what we see. But remember what the Bible teaches us:
We live by faith, not by sight. 2Corinthians 5:7
