The Bible Speaks

By Pastor Bruce MacInnes, Sanford Harold Columnist

Man’s plans or God’s?

“…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result…” Genesis 50:20

Our text for today focuses on the story of Joseph and all that happened to him. It began with his brothers, filled with jealousy and hate, and ended with his forgiveness of his brothers for all the wrong they had done to him. Few men have had so many bad things happen to them that were completely unwarranted as all that happened to Joseph. His story begs the question as to why God lets so many unjust things happen to a righteous man. He told the truth as received from God in a dream, but his brothers hated him for it. He had never made a romantic advance toward Potiphar’s wife, and he ran from her advances, yet he was thrown into prison. While in prison he rightly interpreted the dream of the imprisoned chief baker and cupbearer, yet when the cupbearer was asked to speak to Pharoah on behalf of Joseph, he said not a word. If the Lord was looking out for him, why was he sold into slavery in Egypt, falsely accused and forgotten? Certainly, he did not merit any of it and he likely prayed often for God to release him from prison and slavery. Where was the protector of the righteous and blesser of His chosen people? Does He not answer the prayers of the righteous?

Joseph’s life teaches us that God’s plans for us may not be in line with our own, but they are always better. I have seen this in my own life at least a dozen times. Most recently I planned to step down from 28 years of pastoring a church in Sanford to teach at a local Bible college and do pulpit supply and some writing. The Lord planned for me to go back into the pastorate. After almost 6 years there I can see that His plan was far better than my own. I love where I am but would not have chosen it myself. His plans are ALWAYS better than mine. He knows me better than I know myself and He knows the future at which I could only guess. I love God’s plans!

If Joseph’s brothers had not sold him into slavery in Egypt, he would not have been there to preserve them. If the cupbearer had remembered him to Pharoah, he would not have remained in prison for 2 more years but likely have been set free and would have missed the opportunity to interpret Pharoah’s dream and be elevated to the second in command in all Egypt. Without Joseph’s wisdom in storing grain during the years of plenty for the years of famine, many Egyptians and his own family would have starved. What his brothers meant for evil, God turned around for good.

The Bible speaks of God’s plans being better than man’s. Trust Him when your plans are frustrated. His are better, so wait for them and enjoy His plan for your life.