21 Days: Day 12

Hello, everyone. Welcome to 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. My name is Maggie Willis, and I have the privilege of being part of the kids department here at Be Hope church. So today we're going to be taking a look into Joseph's story and exploring the ways that God provided for him in the midst of chaos and betrayal.So to give some context, Joseph was only 17 years old when his life took a really drastic turn. Joseph's dreams and his special status as his father's favorite child really stirred bitterness in his brothers and ultimately led to his brothers selling him into slavery. Even when Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, God's favor remained upon him, and God gave him the gift of interpreting dreams, which is truly amazing.Years later, Joseph stood before Pharaoh and he explained a dream that he had envisioned that foretold seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. And Pharaoh was so impressed by this dream, that he made Joseph second in command of all of Egypt, where Joseph used this position to save countless lives, including the lives of the very brothers who betrayed him.So in Genesis chapter 50, verse 20, Joseph says to his brothers, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So even in the midst of hardship and betrayal, Joseph sought the Lord and used his situation to bring glory to God. Joseph's life is truly living proof that God has a perfect plan for our lives.Like Joseph, I've personally had seasons of my life that I really just didn't expect. Times that I felt overlooked, mistreated, or stuck in a place that I didn't plan on being. It was in those moments that it was hard to see God's hand at work. But looking back, I can truly see how he was working all of that for my good and to shape my character, prepare me for new opportunities and bring me closer to him.Joseph's story reminds me that God's plan are God's plan for me, and my life is bigger than my current struggles. And what feels like a setback can actually be used as a set up for something greater. So I want to turn to Romans chapter eight, verse 28. And this is centuries later, after Joseph's story, that Paul would write and we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.So when our lives take turns that we never planned for, we can remember Joseph's story and really take it to heart what others met for harm, or what might feel like a loss or delay in your life, can be the very thing that God uses to prepare you for his greater purpose. So today, I want to ask you what situation in your life right now might God be shaping into something good, even if you can't yet see how?So I want you to challenge yourself this week to release control to God and just trust that he will provide and that his plan is greater. Let's pray. Lord, thank you so much for all that you provide for us. Both in the hard and in the joyful times. God. We just released control to you this week, and we trust that your plan is greater than ours.And I pray that through the rest of these 21 days of prayer and fasting, that you would just draw near to us, and give us a strength to rely on you and your provision. God. We ask this all in your name. Amen.