In life, there are times when we feel as if things are going out of control or nothing may seem to be going as planned. Sometimes life may seems to be filled only with uncertainties. And when things keep going wrong and problems keep increasing we may find it difficult to see God being with us. At such moments, we feel like crying out like the Psalmist: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?” (Psalms 22:1). Our thought for reflection for this Friday morning is, “Our God’s Unseen hands are at still at work even when God seems to be invisible.”
When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and taken him back to his father (Genesis 37:21-22)
When Joseph approached his brothers, they were plotting to kill him. They wanted to ensure that Joseph’s dreams did not come true. They were determined to kill him and throw him into one the pits. Their reference to Joseph as a “dreamer” was full of sarcasm and hatred. But when we read the passage closely we realize that God’s unforeseen hand was working to protect Joseph.
1. Divine RESUCE from secret plots and dangers.
At the time when Joseph’s brothers were determined to get rid of Joseph from their lives, we find Reuben advising them not to shed his innocent blood. As per his suggestion, the brothers put aside their plans to kill Joseph but stripped him of his robe and threw him into the pit. Though that seemed to be Reuben’s plan to rescue Joseph, in real sense, it was the unseen hand of God that rescued Joseph. Do we remember the times, when we had experienced serious problems and losses in our lives, help did come from unknown sources?
2. Divine RELIEF from serious pain and death.
If the brothers had left Joseph in the pit he would have died due to hunger and thirst. Outwardly it appeared as if it was Judah’s unexpected suggestion that saved Joseph. Judah said to his brother… “Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed (Genesis 37:26-27). Judah might have been motivated by greed as he saw that as an opportunity to make profit from the sale of his brother Joseph. But who can deny the fact that God’s divine hand was behind Judah’s suggestion to sell Joseph to the Ismaelites? How many times we have taken God’s miraculous rescue from death and serious dangers for granted or have considered them as mere luck?
Should not our belief be that nothing can happen to us without God’s permission and God will not allow any difficulty unless He has a divine purpose behind it?
Let’s pray: Dear Lord, it is true that often I find it difficult to understand many things that are happening in my life. I confess that I even at times find it difficult to feel you being with me in the midst of my struggles. But I thank you for your unseen divine hands which have been working behind everything that’s happening in my life. I know that it is you who rescues me from secret plots and dangers and it is you who brings divine relief for me from serious difficulties. Thank you Lord for, when I feel down I know that I can look above and you will be definitely there for me.
In Jesus’s name!... Amen.
Blessed Weekend