When It Feels Like God Isn’t Working For Your Good
“God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Genesis 45:7 MEV
Have you ever walked through dark valleys in your life where it felt like God had forsaken you and you were all alone? I sure have. Even though God’s promises have been engraved into my heart throughout my life, there have been moments when I didn’t think God was present at all. And in these moments, I have questioned that “all things work together for our good” as the Bible says in Romans 8:28 because it sure didn’t feel like things were working out for my good at all. Ever been there?
That’s why I’m so thankful for people in the Bible like Joseph because I can really relate to His story. Joseph was one of twelve brothers and the son of Jacob, but he wasn’t just one of the sons that Jacob had. He was actually the favorite son out of all of the twelve sons and that caused a problem with the other brothers. But that wasn’t the only thing that caused a problem with Joseph’s brothers. God had given Joseph the ability to have prophetic dreams and poor Joseph just didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. The more he told his family about the dreams, the more they seemed to dislike Joseph.
So much so that they threw Joseph into a well and later sold him to some merchants passing by. If this would have been all the dark times that Joseph would have had to go through, then maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad but sadly, there was more. Joseph finds favor and rises to position only to land in jail from some false accusations made against him. While in jail, God gives Joseph the ability to explain dreams, and instead of being released from jail, Joseph finds he must spend even more years in jail before someone remembers Joseph again.
I’m satisfied if I were Joseph, I would be wondering where in the world God was and how in the world was this going to bring good into my life?! And this is where I relate to Joseph the most. Many years had passed from the time he was sold into slavery until the time when God actually revealed His plan to Joseph. Joseph had many years of waiting on God, and many of those years were spent relying on God’s past promises and trusting that God knew what He was doing. God sure wasn’t providing Joseph with any blueprints of his situation and there were many days when I’m sure it seemed as if God was silent. When I walk through valleys and dark days, sometimes it feels as if God has left the scene. In the silence, I don’t hear Him or feel him and I can start to doubt that He is working anything for my good. Can you relate?
These are the moments when we need to cling to God’s truth the most. Genesis 45:7 says, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” When it feels like God isn’t working for our good, we must keep believing that He most certainly is working behind the scenes. Sweet friend, God is orchestrating every valley and every mountain for our ultimate good. One that will bring Him the most glory.
It seemed like a horrendous situation for Joseph to be sold by his brothers, but God was actually placing Joseph in the position to be used by God the most. Friend, I can’t sit here and tell you that I know exactly why you had to walk through that valley or experience such gut-wrenching hurt. I’m only human but I can tell you this - God never wastes anything and even though we can’t see the blueprint or even understand the fine print, God is always there. He is with us and He is for us! The enemy might have meant it for evil, but God is all about bringing beauty from ashes.
God placed Joseph into the position to save the entire Jewish race. However, it wasn’t a bed of roses for Joseph. Joseph’s path was rocky, dark at times, and very hard to understand but God never left his side. And God never leaves ours either. When it feels like God isn’t working anything for your good, trust Him. He really and truly is! Do you know how I know? Because that is just the kind of God He is!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word and for people like Joseph. It encourages my heart to read how you were there all along, working things behind the scenes for Joseph. It shows me that you do the same for me. Even when I can’t see you in the pain and the unknown, I can trust that you are there. I can trust that you are working all things for my good. I can trust this because of who you are. You are such a good father. Thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. I love you, In Jesus name. Amen.
Dig Deeper:
If you have never read Joseph’s story, take the time to read it in its entirety.
You can find it in Genesis 37, Genesis 39 - 47
Pray and ask God to reveal how your story is similar to Joseph’s story:
Where is God working behind the scenes for your good?
Journal your thoughts and write out a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision