Momentary light affliction

20/1/12 Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

S: Genesis 20:15,18-21 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. ... Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

O: When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, their intentions were entirely evil. However, God took advantage of those evil intentions to do much good -- saving Egypt as well as their family from being wiped out by the 7 year famine.

Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom were two of the many Righteous Gentiles who helped rescue Jews during the Nazi Holocaust. They were eventually caught by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. Corrie was in despair at the situation but Betsie reminded her of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, that they should give thanks in all circumstances.

So Corrie agreed to pray with Betsie and give thanks for things like the fact that they were kept together and not separated, and that the prison guards did not discover Corrie had smuggled a Bible into the prison, etc. But then Betsie wanted to thank God for the fleas! The fleas? Goodness, Corrie wasn't sure that she could thank God for that. But months later, they discovered that the reason they had so much freedom in the barracks was because the guards were afraid to enter it due to the fleas!

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

A: Just like Joseph and Betsie, we might not understand the reasons behind any tribulations we might be experiencing right now, but, like them, we can continue to trust God.

P: Father, thank You that You remain in control. We need to trust You. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)