Letters to the Family of God
by Joe Franzone | May 16, 2024 | Pastor's Blog
May 16, 2024
Dear friends.
As a child, I was always fascinated with the story of Joseph. He had many unthinkable and unbearable situations piled on him, and visibly, he had no help or hope in sight. Most of his family was against him, and in every situation, he encountered, but, his last, there was injustice.
Some Christians suffer for a short time, and we thank God. However, Joseph had to suffer for a long time. It would be hard to find many people who, when discarded like Joseph, wouldn't complain, become angry, and become edgy. Of course, Joseph had his mere man moments too. He had his weak moments. At times, he felt depressed, perhaps wanting to cry and give up.
And he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
Joseph's story teaches us the importance of waiting for the Lord even though our human weakness tells us something like, It has been too long. We have been waiting for help for 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 years, and there is no end in sight. However, there is another lesson.
My own experience with suffering teaches me I am at my worst when no one is on my mind except myself. It is understandable on many levels. It reminds me it is impossible on my own to see any future good that can come out of suffering. Even Joseph's prison experience was him (Genesis 40:14-15) simply trying to get out. He knew nothing at that moment of God's grand plan to save the world from starvation through him. At every turn God was the one who acted upon Joseph, leading him, providing, and sustaining Him, even though has no idea what good was coming for millions of people through his administration. Joseph was not a self-made world saver. He was a grace-receiving servant.
Till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the Lord proved him true.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.
He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.
Dear reader, please think deeply about some of what this means. God’s grace is a real thing. He will give us the power not to simply turn inward. He will give power in our personal suffering to bring good to others—in some cases, many others.
Every event of Joseph’s life led to this moment. It’s a pattern for future works of God in His people’s life. Glory through suffering, joy through humiliation. Gain for others in light of our suffering. It’s the story of the cross and the crown.
When we suffer, we may only think, I just want this to end. (Who wouldn’t!) However, God is planning something better and glorious for others and you in your suffering. Take heart.
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
God bless you and keep you in His love,
Pastor Joe