I was fortunate to grow up going to Sunday School and hearing many Bible stories. I have a vivid memory of sitting in a small classroom and watching our teacher as she used a flannelgraph tell the Bible stories. She could have read the story to us; but by using the flannelgraph and various pictures, she made the story come to life, while helping all of us to pay attention.
One of the stories that sticks in my mind is the story of Joseph. Our teacher placed the “flannel” coat of many colors onto a “flannel” Joseph, as she explained how it must have made Joseph very happy to get that coat from his father. Shortly after, the Bible says his brothers, …stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. (Genesis 37:23-24) What must have been going through Joseph’s mind? Was he scared? Was he thinking that this was where he would die, or was he consumed with how unfair this was?
His brothers then made a decision on what to do with Joseph, Come, let us sell him to the Ismeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh.(vs. 27) Things continued to get worse when his brothers, …sold Joseph to the Ismeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.(vs. 28)
We can all agree the story went from bad to worse…to even worse! This pit was just the beginning of Joseph’s story, but a necessary part, because God used the pit to bring Joseph to Egypt. As we read further into the life of Joseph, the Bible says, And the LORD was with Joseph,…(Genesis 39:2) And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.(Genesis 39:3) …For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.(Genesis 41:52) At the end of his life, Joseph told his brothers, But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Joseph’s journey began in the worst of ways: from the bottom of an empty pit. It was evil and unfair. However, God had big plans for Joseph that had to start from that pit. The Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph. This means God had a plan for that pit: God meant it unto good. Joseph could not see what would happen down the road, but He did know that the Lord was with Him. He continued to trust the Lord.
When we are in the midst of our trial––enduring unfair circumstances, treated wrongly, falsely accused, or muddling through a bad situation––, what do we do? How do we respond? In difficult times, we have to trust God just as Joseph did. He will be with us, and we can trust that He has a plan for the pit in our life. When all we see is this pit, God sees the big picture. He will deliver us, if we will just trust in His care.
Jesus came to Earth, lived a sinless life, performed countless miracles, and never once did anything wrong. He was beaten, bruised, spat upon, and nailed to the Cross for our sins. Isaiah 53:7 says, He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:… Luke 23:34 says, Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Verse 42 and 43 say, And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Jesus was beaten and hung on the Cross, but that was not the end of the story. It was a necessary part to fulfill God’s plan.
How did Jesus respond to His affliction? The Bible says …he opened not his mouth… Jesus said nothing, and when He was on the Cross, Jesus responded with, …Father, forgive them;… When we are mistreated, we often find ourselves saying, “This is not fair,” or “Why is this happening?” Sometimes, we may even ask, “Why, God?” How so we respond in these times of affliction? Do we forgive those who do wrong to us as Jesus did? Do we try instead to get sympathy from our friends about how we are being treated? Do we dwell on our circumstances? The thief asked Jesus to remember him, and Jesus said, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Jesus was not looking at His circumstances as He took on the sins of the world. Instead, He was filled with so much compassion that, while in His own agony, He promised this thief a home in Heaven.
We know that this horrible “pit” was not the end of the story. Jesus did die, but He rose again on the third day, conquering death, Hell, and the grave for all mankind. Jesus lives, and He is coming back again!
If you are in the “pit” of life, keep trusting God! God is not done writing your story! If circumstances are not ideal, if people are treating you unfairly, or if you have been falsely accused, forgive just as Jesus forgave. No matter how dire the situation may be, you can still be a witness to those around you. This “pit” is just the beginning of your story. You can be sure that He is not done with you yet!
May we look to Jesus as our ultimate example of how to respond when all hope seems lost. May we continue to live for Him and to serve Him even when we cannot see what the end of the story may be. When we hold onto hope in an ever-faithful God and wait for His deliverance, we will be able to say as Joseph said, “But God meant it unto good!”
by Mandy Harper
