God is up to Something
January 16, 2013Have you ever wondered what God is up to?
God is up to something, though we don’t always see it.
We all believe certain things about God. We would love to believe he is close, but often we don’t feel close to God. Why does God feel distant? We say we believe God knows what he is doing, but if we are honest it doesn’t always feel that way.
How often do we wonder if there a bigger picture to this life we are living?
We know that God can work through good situations, but will he work through bad ones?
The Bible tells a story of a guy who faced a lot of troubles. His brothers betrayed him. His family thought he was dead. He was thrown into jail for a dumb reason and spent years being forgotten. If God was up to something, it didn’t seem like it.
But God was up to something.
While in jail, Joseph spent time with two guys. One was a baker. His job was to make bread, and serve it to the King. The second was a cup-bearer. His job was to make sure the king had all the wine he needed. Both of these men were in jail because they offended the king.
In the midst of Joseph’s crazy life story we hear about a king offended by the one in charge of the bread, and the one in charge of the wine. God was up to something.
Woven into Joseph’s life is the foreshadowing of a perfect king, who will deal with all offenses. This king brings both bread and wine and comes to serve. This king will fulfill all hunger and thirst. Joseph’s friend the cup-bearer forgets Joseph, but the Bible tells of a king who will never forget you.
You probably know the rest of the story. Joseph gets out of jail, saves his brothers, and runs the nation. In the midst of trials though, he had the opportunity to deny God, or press in to him. He could have done his own thing, but he continued to learn the character traits that would make him the best leader possible.
As a leader, you are to pursue God, when all others get distracted. You are to speak to God, when others forget him. You are to trust him when situations feel bleak. You are to press in, pray and prioritize. God is often writing a story that we will not see until we get to the end. We are to do our part, he will do his.
While we don’t always see him, he is always working.
God is up to something.
What do you do when you can’t see God in a situation?
Praise God for the assurance that He is surely in control. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of trouble. Thanks for sharing Derek!
Thanks Robert! It has been a process learning to see that He is in control even when I don’t see him. Thanks for the comment.
When I can’t see God in a situation I look back and remember all the situations past in my life and how He was always in control and blessed abundantly in His time. I also look into the scriptures and am reminded of the same thing through the lives of the saints of old. A favorite verse: Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) — (10) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
When I can’t see God in a situation I sometimes think about Thomas putting his hand in Jesus’ side and believing Jesus was really in front of him, then Jesus saying, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” It’s often difficult to trust when I feel like God’s not present in my situation but I try to remind myself that bitter situations lead to even sweeter rewards.
That is a great perspective Keely. It is humbling to think we can be more blessed.
What a great verse Donna, thanks for sharing!