When You Know God is the One Really Calling the Shots

Do we believe that God works behind the scenes and through the situations or do we take matters into our own hands? I find that we do until we face unspeakable injustice.

Joseph is case in point that a man who will trust God in all things will see His goodness at the end of all the hard things.

Genesis 39:8–9 (ESV) But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

This is the response Joseph presented to Potiphar's wife upon her sexual advancements. Notice Joseph's language. He acknowledges that he has what he has because of her husband. He confesses "he has put everything he has in my charge." Joseph sees the graciousness of his master in his life. He doesn't take it for granted. 

Secondly, Joseph also realizes that it is because of his performance that advancement has taken place in his life. Notice verse 8, "because of me my master has no concern... and has place me in charge." Joseph is fully self-aware here that this has not been simply a matter of mystical promotion. He has worked hard and earned his way to this place. 

BUT, when Joseph rounds of the reasons why he will not sin with her, ultimately his response opens the deepest believe of his heart. "How can I... sin against God?" Ultimately, Joseph knew God was in charge, God was in control of his situation. Sin would capsize the plan of God in his life and Joseph would not allow it. Here is a man who knows that whoever is in charge of him - God is in charge of them! That is the life of faith.

Is not Joseph the antithesis of Adam in this moment. Both Adam and Eve trusted themselves in becoming "more" of what they were. Joseph entrusts himself fully to God. What a lesson for us all. You start sinning when you stop believing that God is not ultimately in control and out for your good. He doesn't simply throw commands out there to make us miserable. He wants it to go well with us and His creation. Obedience rooted in trust is the only way it happens. 

When you are tempted, you have to identify the issue you're refusing to trust God about. Something or someone has you fooled that your own devices will make things better and they won't. Now Joseph doesn't experience a better life... at first. That's where many of us get stuck. We obey and don't see positive results in the immediate. Or perhaps like Joseph, we will only be betrayed once more. I don't know how he stood these back to back tests of personal betrayal. But I know Christ Jesus did so for me when all turned away and one turned on Him sending Him to the Cross. 

But what did Christ do? He entrusted Him who was able to raise Him from the dead.
1 Peter 2:22–23 (ESV) He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Joseph is example. Jesus is fulfillment. We have someone in us who knows how to trust. Stop letting your old man take the reins of your life. Let Jesus trust the Father in you and through you.

Amen.