Genesis 37:23-24 

New International Version (NIV)

So, when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern.

For Meditation

There are times in life when dark clouds gather over us, and all we can think about is the impending devastating blow to end it all for us. We may have fallen into it by our own carelessness or by some callous mischief of other people. The darkness may be too thick to see any possible relief. Such are the times we forget the providential hand of God in the affairs of His children. We tend to forget who we are in Christ – children of God and pregnant with His promises. We forget that His ways are not our ways. Neither are His thoughts our thoughts. He pre-sees and provides in ways we often forget in the dungeons of life. But God is never late. So are His promises. His appointed carrier of grace for your life is on time.

It may not come in the manner you expect or how you envision it. But, it’s still a divine vessel of grace anyway. The circumstances of its revealing may be ugly, yet it’s still God’s way of moving you upstream. What’s important is for you is to eschew any negativity and keep your head in Christ.

People may get rid of you, but that’s not the end of your story. The best is yet to come. For, you’ve not seen anything yet!

Nobody writes your story but you and the one you chose as your co-writer – the Holy Spirit or your adversary. What happens in your life depends on your attitude and reaction to the adversity that confronts you in that pit.

Joseph suffered the cruelty of his brothers when they threw him into a pit and sat down to eat the meal he may have brought to them from their father (Gen. 37:23-24). They left him for dead; but God!

The providence of God is unpredictable, but His timing is perfect. The Ishmaelite caravan headed for Egypt appeared on the horizon, and the brothers smelled money (25). Twenty pieces of silver was enough for the life of their own brother, so Joseph was shackled and on his way to the slave market in Egypt. But that was not the end of his story. His brothers thought they had rid their lives of him and his dreams. But God!

Providence was carrying Joseph towards the realization of the divine promise imbedded in his much-reviled dreams he shared with his family (5-11).

1. So, where do you find yourself now?
2. Is the darkness too overwhelming for you?
3. Do you sense your dreams fading away?
4. Where is Jesus in your consideration?
5. Have you given up on Him like everything else?

Your divine carrier is coming soon. So, don’t lose it. Keep the dream alive and behold the countenance of Christ, the author and perfecter of your faith.

May the thought of the approaching Easter season fill your heart with hope; and may His joy bring you strength to endure until your vessel of grace arrives.

Shalom