Fair or Unfair - God Is Using You For Something Greater. Remember What Happened To Joseph.

The next time you start thinking about how life isn't fair, remember what happened to Joseph:

Joseph was the second youngest son of Israel, and one of 12 brothers. He was the most loved by his father, and his brothers hated him for it. His brothers took hold of Joseph and put him in a pit, and sold him to a passing merchant caravan that was on the way to Egypt, and then they told their father that he was dead.

Joseph became a slave to Potiphar in Egypt, and was favored and put in charge of the man's house. Potiphar's wife kept trying to seduce Joseph, only Joseph would not give in, so one day she caught a hold of his garment and tried to convince him to have an affair with him. Joseph fled from her but his garment was left in her hand. When Potiphar came home she accused Joseph of trying to sexually assault her, causing him to have Joseph put in prison.

In prison, Joseph was favored by the captain of the guard and became a servant to him having charge over the other prisoners while still being a prisoner himself. The chief butler and chief baker for Pharaoh were imprisoned while Joseph was there, and they had dreams that Joseph was able to interpret for them. Joseph asked the chief butler to remember him and to mention his case before Pharaoh when he was restored to his former position because he had done nothing wrong.

Two years later, the Pharaoh had dreams that disturbed him greatly, and the chief butler remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh of him, telling Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret dreams, so Joseph was brought before him. Joseph gave Pharaoh the interpretation of his dreams saying there would be 7 years of abundant harvests followed by 7 years of famine, and he suggested that Pharaoh collect 1/5th of the harvests during the abundant years and store it against the famine. Pharaoh placed Joseph in the position of Governor, ruling Egypt and second only to Pharaoh.

When the famine came, all countries came to Egypt to buy food so that they could survive, including Joseph's father, Israel, who sent 10 of his 11 brothers to buy food. When his brothers came to him, Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him. He sold them the corn they needed and secretly had their money returned to them in their provisions, but he accused them of being spies and forced them to leave one of the brothers behind until such time they returned to Egypt bringing the youngest brother with them who had remained home with Israel.

After the corn ran out, Israel sent the brothers back to Egypt to buy more, this time allowing them to bring their youngest brother with them. Through this second meeting Joseph ultimately revealed himself to his brothers. They returned home to Israel, giving him the news that Joseph is alive, and they brought their father and the household to Egypt (thereby setting u[ the circumstances God had previously told Abraham their forefather about how his seed would be under a harsh ruler and oppressed, and delivered by the Lord).

When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, this is what he said:

Genesis 45:5-8 KJV

5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

You may be down. You may be persecuted. You may be completely alone. Things may look utterly hopeless. In all senses, you may look utterly defeated. But God could be setting you up for something great to come, and He probably is.

We all have troubles, but my advice is not to get focused on whether life is fair or unfair. When you're weak, seek Jesus for strength. When you're weary, seek Him for rest. When you're in the midst of chaos, seek Him for peace. When you're confused, rely on His understanding. When you're lost, look to Him for direction. He will provide, and He will bring you through whatever trouble is facing you.