Title: Understanding God's Providence
Contents
On June 25, we are reminded of the pain of the Korean War and the sorrow and mourning of our people.
Our country still lives in danger of foreign interference and aggression.
This is reminiscent of a person who was born with a weak body and persistently preserves life while fighting the disease for the rest of his life.
In all this history, our people have been living in a poor environment in which tomorrow cannot be guaranteed.
So, since ancient times, our greetings are 'How are you?', 'How are you?', and 'How are you?'
I am so tired of such a difficult life, some people say, 'I want to die'.
This is our life.
But the nation of Israel is very similar to us.
The history in the Old Testament was written through Israel from the point of view of the history of redemption.
God chose that nation through Abraham and sent a savior.
However, the history of foreign invasions and long hardships is a journey of sorrow for the people of Israel.
However, through all this history, we discover that the word of God's promise is being fulfilled.
In particular, the providence of God through Joseph, Abraham's great-grandson, is a great comfort to us.
The life of Joseph in today's text shows the providence of God well.
The English word 'providence' comes from the Latin 'pro' and 'vid'.
The etymology of video, 'vid', means 'to see'.
Therefore, providence has the meaning of 'seeing ahead'.
Therefore, it can be said that the word providence means that God sees before us.
Joseph's life experience is an example that helps us understand the providence of God.
1. Time and Providence
It takes time to see the providence come true.
We often don't realize that God is doing something at the moment of an event.
But when we look back on past events, we realize the providence best.
So is the case with Joseph.
It was probably impossible for him too to believe that God was using what happened to him to do something good until everything changed.
If we look at his misfortunes one by one, it appears that pointless tragedies are listed.
When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery,
When he was imprisoned for Potiphar's wife,
When Pharaoh's servants forgot to plead for his release...
We can see that Joseph would not have foreseen that the providence of God was at work.
But he would have realized it after interpreting Pharaoh's dream and warning him of a coming famine, which caused him to sit on the second highest place in the land.
Joseph is convinced that God is bringing good through a series of misfortunes he has experienced.
Through all that experience, he knew that God's providence was at work to reunite his family.
This is evident from the case of Joseph.
But God's providence to lead from evil and wrong to good takes time.
It took 13 years for Joseph to become a servant of Pharaoh after he was sold into slavery.
Moreover, it took seven more years for him to reunite with his brothers, a clear proof that God was working through his misfortune.
Thus, it is difficult to realize that God directs providence right after some misfortune.
God did not work immediately so that the wrongdoings that had been inflicted on Joseph could be resolved immediately.
God began to work in a careful and powerful way so that the circumstances Joseph was going through could bring about good results for him.
One day, unexpected difficulties arise, like Joseph, who was suddenly sold into slavery.
A long process is necessary for God's providence to be fulfilled through those sufferings.
2. Scope of Providence
From Joseph's experience, we can be sure that we too can never deviate from God's providence.
We cannot go beyond the limits of what God can do.
God's providence extends to other countries and lands.
Joseph experienced providence in the loneliness of being separated from family and friends.
Many people today say that they are living on different lands in terms of local births and relationships.
But even there, God's providence exists.
And God's providence is for any age.
Joseph discovers the providence of God not only in his youth but also in his middle age.
No matter what age, marital status, divorce, or death of a spouse, all elements of life cannot escape the history of providence.
That's right. Please believe that all things that happen in our lives are provided by God.
3. Our Cooperation in Providence
God's providence works best when we seek God's will.
Joseph said when Potiphar's wife seduced him:
?쏦ow can I do this great evil and sin against God???(Genesis 39:9).
This great man is the man who said, "I can't do it" unless it's God's will under any circumstances.
We can work together for God's providence to work by praying for God's will to be done, and by striving to apply God's will in our lives.
God's providence works best when we strive to grow in faith.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "There is no one as understanding and wise as you" (Genesis 41:39).
But Joseph wasn't always like that.
This was the number one reason for his being sold into slavery when Joseph frivolously boasted to his brothers of dreams that he would rise above them.
Our personal growth creates more opportunities for Providence to work.
God's providence works best for those who try to make the best use of their circumstances.
Joseph was well aware that he had not committed a sin worthy of imprisonment (Genesis 40:15).
But while at Potiphar's home, he was determined to do his best.
There is a saying like this. ?쏬et the flowers bloom where you are planted.??Joseph was an example of this saying.
Therefore, patience is necessary in order for God's providence to work best for us.
If it takes several years for God's providence to be done according to His purpose, we must not forget that we must endure until then.
"Wait" is a command.
What if Joseph had given up before the last chapters of his life were written?
He sought God's will through prayer and paved the way for that providence to work.
Also, God's providence works best when we acknowledge God's presence in our lives.
The story of Joseph continues to emphasize this fact to us.
The Bible tells us when Joseph arrived in Egypt and was sold as a slave to Potiphar.
?쏷he Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered??(Genesis 39:2).
And in Genesis 39:21-23, even after being imprisoned because of Potiphar's wife, "The LORD was with Joseph, and he was kind to him, and he gave favor to the prisons... For the LORD was with Joseph. He made him prosper in all things.??We can experience God's providence in His presence.
God is involved in me and your life.
When we run out of money, when we are ill, when we are working hard, when we are happy, when we suffer deep in our marriage, or when someone dies, God never leaves us.
God is in our hearts and is with us in power and love.
Joseph expressed his confidence in God's providence by naming his children.
He named his first son Manasseh, which means 'forget' and said, "God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father's housework" (Genesis 41:51).
He also named his second son Ephraim, which means 'double fruit' and said, "God has made me multiply in the land of my toil" (Genesis 41:52).
Today, through Joseph, we realized the providence of God.
Now I can forget my pain.
God's blessings will flourish through the life you do your best.
Because God is my Sovereign and Lord of life.
From now on, even if something incomprehensible happens, let's accept that God is refining me through it.
I believe that the present hardships, sorrows, and pains will all turn into God's blessing when the time comes.
I am happy that I am living in the providence of God. Hallelujah!