Faith in God’s Plan
Jeremiah 29:11
Often we feel overwhelmed by life’s situations and circumstances. We are bombarded by so many things from all different directions…things that tend to tear us down from time to time. Things that make us feel as failures. Things that make us lose sight of the fact that God has a plan, a purpose and a design for our lives. It is in the midst of these ‘failures’ or difficulties that often times, God is moving us into the position He needs us to be in so His plan can unfold.
On more than one occasion, I have been devastated by things that occurred in our life. Stacy & I have gone through our share of difficult seasons during our marriage, but one thing I have always found to be true – at the moments I feel lost and hopeless, God has a map; at the moment I feel like things are an absolute disaster, God has a blueprint; at the moment that I feel that there is nothing going right, God has a plan and He has on more than one occasion closed one door so I would have to walk through the one He wanted me to all along.
This morning, I want to take a look into the life of Joseph. Here we will see a man who, if you were to ask anyone around him, had nothing good going on in his life. But, in all actuality, God had a purpose for each thing that occurred in his life. I want us this morning to get to the point that we can sincerely have faith in God’s plan for our lives.
Genesis 37-41
I. Things don’t always go as planned (Gen 37:12-14)
Beginning with the story of Joseph, Israel had sent him to go check on his brothers as they were feeding the flocks. His intentions were to get a report from Joseph on how things were going. Seemed like an easy enough plan; foolproof essentially.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
II. Some people will not like you…even family (Gen 37:18-20)
The fact of the matter is that there will be people in this life that do not like you. They will want to see you fail, they will want to see you hurt, they will want to try and cause you problems…and at times, it will be family that does so. We must realize though, that even in the midst of this types of situations, God still has a plan and a purpose.
III. God may move you around (Gen 37:27-28)
God, in order to accomplish His plan in your life may at times move you around some. You may be moved – often against your desires (as we see with Joseph) into an area you are not familiar with so you will genuinely trust God.
IV. God Never Leaves (Gen 39:2-5; Gen 40:4-19)
You will find that, as God unfolds His plan for your life, He will not leave you. It may feel challenging and you may feel all alone, but God is still right with you.
V. Expect the occasional speedbump (Gen 39:11-20)
There will be times that even when God’s plan is unfolding, you’ll find yourself experiencing the occasional speed bump. Do not fear or worry during these times, God is still in control and knows exactly what He is doing.
VI. The time will come to arise (Gen 41:15-46)
We watch as Joseph went from being in prison, to being called before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, then to Joseph being placed second in command over Egypt.
It may seem to take forever at moments for God’s plan to be unfolding in your life. At times, it may even seem like He has no plan, but I can promise you, He is doing everything exactly as He desires to do as long as we are walking with and in fellowship with Him.
Psalm 57:2 “I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.”
Psalm 115:3 “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
Daniel 4:35 “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”
What does this tell us? God WILL accomplish His plan for your life – have Faith in Him. Trust in His leading and direction. Trust in the journey to accomplish His will. Because in the end, you will understand that God knew what He was doing all along.
