A Will But No Way

Joseph was just a young man when he had a dream that his brothers would one day bow down to him.  He must have thought he had it made.  Not only was he his father's favorite of the 12 boys, but apparently he was God's favorite as well.  He must have considered himself blessed.

Then his brothers tried to kill him by throwing him into a cistern.  Then they pulled him back out... and sold him into slavery.

At this point, he probably began to wonder how God could let these things happen to him.  But he was sold to a good master and given responsibility over the whole household.  Things were going pretty well-- then he was falsely accused of rape by his master's wife and thrown in jail.

Now he must have really wondered what God was planning.

He probably thought he saw his way out when the chief cup-bearer and the chief baker had dreams that they needed interpreted, something God could do through Joseph.  In fact, just before the chief cup-bearer was returned to his station, Joseph asked that he tell Pharaoh about him.  Now was his chance to be out of jail.  It was a far cry from the power he had once imagined he would obtain, but at least he wouldn't be stuck in a cell.

Then, the chief cup-bearer forgot about him.  For two years.

At this point, Joseph must have been beyond angry.  His brothers, his boss' wife, and his friend had all betrayed him.

Sometimes, on a small scale, we understand Joseph.  Every time we think we've found our way, the door is slammed in our face.  We try to trust God, but He seems to be leading us nowhere.  The people who are supposed to care about us the most, betray us.

But God's plan cannot be thwarted.  Years after he was sold into slavery, accused of rape, thrown in jail, and forgotten, Joseph stood in a position of great power, and his brothers were bowed down before him.  God's plan had come true, not in spite of all the difficulties and hardship Joseph had faced, but because of them.

When we feel discouraged by our situation, we must remember the story of Joseph.  God doesn't have to work around the struggles we face in life, He can work through them.  Nothing will thwart God's plan.  Through everything He does, He works for the good of those who love Him.  Thus is the nature of our God.