April 27, 2015
Dear Christa—
It’s impossible to fully understand how God’s world of His sovereignty
and man’s choice coexist, but they do. Some describe it as a continuum, placing
more emphasis on one or the other, but Scripture simply describes a world in
which both function simultaneously. Such is illustrated in the actions of
Pharaoh in Genesis 40:1-4.
Joseph is in prison, wrongfully accused, yet, God is moving. No one sees
it—probably not even Joseph.
Genesis 40 begins with, “sometime later.” We don’t know how long Joseph
was in prison. Long or short, he was there because of Potiphar’s wife. He could
have become bitter, but it seems he went about doing a good job with where he
was and waited for God to intervene. He knew he would not be in prison forever;
He believed in the dreams God had given him.
So, “sometime later” Pharaoh is angry. It’s probably a scary thing to
work for someone as powerful as a Pharaoh—people who can and do command at a
whim. One day Pharaoh was apparently in a particularly bad mood—at least at mealtime.
Disgruntled about the food and drink, he sends both the cupbearer and baker to
prison.
Yet, within the Pharaoh’s actions, God was at work. Unknown to the
Pharaoh and Joseph, God was setting up a great redemption plan for Israel.
God has designed the actions of people for His purposes. It matters not
at all if they follow God, as Joseph, or don’t know Him, as the Pharaoh.
God was at work then, and God is at work now.
Nothing escapes His notice. Nothing escapes His control.
He is God. He is good. And, we can trust in that.
—the parishioner who doesn’t do
anything
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