Is It A Set Back, Or A Set-Up.
I remember once going for a job interview in the city. It was with an employment agency that I wasn’t really fond of and I didn’t really want to go. I tried everything to find a reason not to go but there was no reason came to mind. And so I went off into town.
The office was on the top of a three-storey building. It was in the roofspace which actually meant it was on the fourth floor. And so, I trudged up the staircases until I got to the top. With heaving breath, I rapped on the office door and was invited in. I was given a few minutes to get my breath back and then I was invited into another office to do the interview.
To my surprise, there was a former employer sitting there smiling at me. He said, “Hi, I’m so glad you decided to come. I was hoping that you’d turn up”. I didn’t know it, but the job was mine before I even left the house that day. All I had to do was turn up.
This little memory reminded me of the story of Joseph and his brothers. The same Joseph with the special coat. The accounts tell us of Joseph being beaten up by his brothers, then sold off as a slave to nomadic traders, and of him being educated in the foreign land of Egypt. And all of the things that Joseph went through was all to prepare for his family in later years. Joseph’s story begins in Genesis ch37.
There was a severe famine in the land of Israel and Joseph’s brothers had came down to Egypt to buy food. Joseph’s brothers thought that he had been dead for many years. Indeed when they first met him they didn’t even recognise him. And since Joseph was the chief administrator there it was him who they had to go to. But Joseph knew that they were coming and so he hatched his plan. The account begins in Genesis ch42 and ends in Genesis ch45. Read it sometime.
But the whole spiritual message of the story is that God knows our needs. And, more importantly, He knows when we need them. He has everything in control. Everything is planned.
The bible tells us so many times where God allows us to go to our absolute limits before He either helps us, or gives us the strength and wisdom to sort it out ourselves.
In Daniel ch6, God allowed Daniel to be thrown into the lion's den, but He shut the mouths of the lions so they did not touch him.
In Daniel ch3v8-30 God allowed the three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, to be thrown into the fiery furnace, but He walked with them into the flames with them so that they were not burned.
In Matthew ch14v22, God allowed Peter to sink into the water, but He never let Peter drown. (This event is also recalled in Mark ch6v45 and John ch6v16).
God never promised us a life without storms - But He promised to be our anchor in them.
God won't allow the storm to drown you - But He will cause it shape you.
God won’t allow the fire consume you - But He will cause it to refine you.
Just like a seed must break and die before it grows, sometimes you must bend before you bloom. The silence won’t destroy you - But it will deepen your roots.
Often times, what feels like a “set back” is often a “set up” for something greater.
Trust in God - Even in the fire. Even in the storm. Even in the silence.
Even when it doesn't make sense. Just trust Him!!
Of a cross on a hill far away.
And now I've a friend up in glory
And He’s only a prayer away
Oh He never would say: 'I'm too busy today’
Every tear, every care, He's promised He will share.
And although He's the Lord of all glory
Yet He's only a prayer away
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