I alone know the plan… Jeremiah 29:11-14 – 8 October 2009
When God gave Joseph two dreams in which his brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed before his and the sun, moon and stars bowed down to him, this was a revelation of God’s plan for Joseph that he would provide for and protect his family in Egypt in future (Genesis 37 – 50)
However, many will probably be surprised to learn of the following things:
- Although he knew Joseph’s thoughts in advance (Psalm 139), God didn’t show him that ‘you will be telling your brothers and parents about your dreams and they shall be jealous and your father shall rebuke you’
- God didn’t tell him ‘when your father sends you to Shechem (by the way this will be the last time you will see your family for a while and the beginning of the long journey of faith) to see if your brothers are well, you shall not find them there. You shall start wandering around in the fields and then I shall send you a man who will guide and tell you they have gone to another place called Dothan’
- He didn’t tell him ‘your brothers will throw you into a well (and I will make sure its empty) and by my grace I will cause the Ishmaelites to pass by (just at the right time) and your brothers shall sell you to them and you shall be sold to Potiphar in ’
- He didn’t say ‘you shall be tempted by the spirit of sexual immorality and because you are my son, I will strengthen you and you shall overcome’.
- He didn’t tell him about the jail experience, his meeting with the butler and baker and about Pharaoh’s dreams
- He didn’t say ‘finally, after all these things and ….. years (a very long time), then this vision I have given you will come to pass
We too need to know God has a plan for us with a good end and that we will finally make it. He may not give us the plan in a dream, but certainly we have all been given promises in the bible that we are all believing God for. These promises do not only help us to escape the evils of this world (2 Peter 1 vs 4; NIV) but also shape our purpose for life. Some are called to encourage others through devotionals, some are called to preach, others are called to work as teachers, lawyers, engineers, house wives or to be just good senior citizens or students as part of a greater plan, etc.
However, I can assure you, God will not give you the details of His plan. Leave these to Him. This is why trusting in the Lord, paying attention to little things, praying for protection and guidance at every stage of our lives, and walking in love and faith is very important.
Joseph made it because he trusted in the plan God had given him at the beginning. So keep his promises in sight | 