Now, regardless of your favorite actor in the role of Joseph, you have to admit that the lyrics are pretty intense. Quick background to the story, Joseph is wrongly accused and imprisoned because he would not compromise his morals. He has already suffered the betrayal of his brothers, the humiliation of being sold as a slave, and just received an unjust accusation by a powerful man. The future isn't looking so good. Despite all that, Joseph has hope. He acknowledges the hurt, betrayal, and pain, but he has faith that there is more to his story.
Realize - Joseph isn't discounting his value or his life, but he recognizes that God is so much bigger than his current troubles. I especially like the line that says, "I know the answers are far from this world." I think that directly relates to the human tendency to ask 'WHY?". In the song, we hear that Joseph realizes he doesn't know why these things happened, and he knows he doesn't understand the reasons, but he trusts God. God is faithful.
There are any number of verses in Scripture that relate to that very thought, and here are just a few.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5-6
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." ~Deuteronomy 7:9
"I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel." ~Psalm 71:22
"God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." ~1 Corinthians 1:9
"But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." ~Hebrews 3:5-7
While these may not satisfy our desire to know why or wrap our minds around pain and suffering, we can be assured that the God who created us and loves us, will NEVER abandon us. We cannot use our human concept of faithfulness to understand God's covenant with us. Humans can fail, we can disappoint; we can hurt those we love. God is love, and God's love is perfect. As we hear in 1 Corinthians:
"Love never fails . . . " ~Corinthians 13:8a
Ultimately, Joseph's story doesn't end in prison. He experiences a complete reversal in his fortune, and, through the divine grace of God's plan and Joseph's willingness to submit to that plan, Joseph ends up saving his family from the famine. God's plan was so much bigger than Joseph's current trial.
I challenge you to consider your current struggles. Is there a situation that you are questioning and you feel that you have been unjustly accused, humiliated, or betrayed? I cannot tell you why these things happen or how exactly they will be used for good, but I know that we can trust God. There is a plan.
Prayer - God, when I am in the midst of a trial and I cannot see beyond the hurt, anger, frustration or pain, soothe my soul with Your grace. Speak the truth to my heart, reminding me that You are in control. I pray that I can fully trust that You are faithful.
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