FOUR FOUNDATIONAL STONES – “YE INTENDED EVIL…GOD TURNED IT FOR GOOD”

A firm foundation is absolutely essential for a strong and stable building. The same is true for a Christian. The LORD Jesus explains this beautifully in the Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders – Matthew 7:24-27. We are considering four of the many stones that are required for a firm Christian foundation. Yesterday we say the first stone. Today let us look at the second stone.
– “GOD TAKES THE VERY STONES THROWN AT US TO BUILD OUR LIVES AND FULFILL HIS PURPOSES”

Life of a Christian sees many a battle in our lifetime. We fight with our flesh, with Satan our enemy, with the world in which we live, and also with many individuals and groups. Some of the bitterest and worst battles are with the closest people that we have on the earth. This is the reality of life for a Christian in the fallen and fractured world. 

Life of Joseph is a very fine example to know that trouble for a Christian can come from many places, including the very family into which we are born. 
– We see that Joseph’s brothers, related by blood, his closest family, had conspired to destabilise and utterly destroy him out of sheer jealousy – Genesis 39. 
– We also see how Joseph chose to walk the paths of righteousness despite all what had happened in his life. – Genesis 39:6-10
– We also see how God was with Joseph, and blessed everything that Joseph did. – Genesis 39:2-4
– Joseph’s life seems like he is thrown from the pan into the fire. One thing after their other was going wrong and bad for him. No sooner does he get comfortable with life, that another problem hits him, and hits him harder than earlier.
– Yet he never lost his character nor his commitment to follow the LORD his God.
– When at last the brothers of Joseph come face to face with Joseph in Egypt, they are terribly afraid for their sin.
– What Joseph says in Genesis 45:3-8 and Genesis 50:18-21 reveal to us not only the heart and character of Joseph, but much more importantly, we see how God had used the very stones thrown at Joseph by his own brothers and by others, to hurt, harm and destroy him, to build his life and to turn it into a blessing to his own family, the future of the nation of Israel, and many many other people.
– “4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” – Proverbs 16:4

Let us read those Bible portions to know the story of God’s hand working in and through the struggles, sufferings and storms of Joseph. Let us see how God uses the very stones thrown at Jiseoh to build his life, and make it a blessing to many. HalleluYah!
1- THE FIRST MEETING OF JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS
– “3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” – Genesis 45:3-8

2- THE STATE OF JOSEPH’S BROTHERS AND HIS REASSURANCE TO THEM
– “15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.” – Genesis 50:15-17

3- JOSEPH’S GODLY PERSPECTIVE FOR ALL THE EVIL THAT WAS DONE TO HIM
– “18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” – Genesis 50:18-21

Dear brothers and sisters…
– we see in and through the life of Joseph that the very close people to us can turn into evil to the very core, and become the cause for all our troubles. They may try to destroy us out of jealousy, and out of million other possible reasons. 
– We also see the hand of God working in the life of Joseph, and turning the very stones thrown at him into a blessing for him, and through him to many many others.

Let us remember always that, GOD TAKES THE VERY STONES THROWN AT US TO BUILD OUR LIVES AND TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES.” Therefore let us not be discouraged, disappointed or disheartened because of all the stones thrown at us. Yes it is painful and yes it is hurtful. Let us not focus of the stones, but at the LORD Jesus who is using the very same to build us and make us a blessing. Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.