But God – Sovereignty in the Silence

“…but God” – Sovereignty in the Silence

“… but God meant it for good …to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

Sometimes life goes from bad to worse, and shortly after goes from worse to devastation. It’s easy to start asking, ‘Where is God?’, ‘Doesn’t God see what’s going on?’, and ‘Why doesn’t He do something about it?’

The first book of the Bible tells a story about a young man named Joseph who had every reason to ask these kinds of questions, and his story presents us with a powerful answer to them.

As we go through the story of Joseph we will discover that it is a story of bitter jealousy, deceit, injustice as we are confronted with ungodliness in the heart, the home and in the culture; and yet it is the story of faith, patience, loyalty, perseverance and dramatic forgiveness. It above all though the story of God’s sovereignty in the silence and of His providential care for those who are the objects of His love.

In the face of difficulties we often ask ‘Why?’ or ‘Where?” Why is God doing this, or where is God in this or that this can even happen?

But what Joseph calls us to learn to ask as we travel with him on His journey from the pit to the palace is to ask What does God want me to learn or do in this for His glory?

The ultimate message that we like Joseph are brought to is in Gen 50:20 “…but God”

Joseph through his life learnt and sought to teach his brothers – as God does us today – don’t limit your view to where you are, to what is happening to you or to how people are treating you – broaden your view to see God’s active and loving presence and providential care yet at the same time narrow its focus on God Himself.

The “… but God” principle shows and reminds us that God is sovereign and active for good in the difficulties of our lives.

The “… but God” principle encourages us by assuring us that ‘God will accomplish his purposes even though for the time being it might appear that everything has gone astray’ (A Begg), that God is and remains sovereign in the silence.

This journey is a journey of trust and living for God in a toxic world and ungodly culture, it is walking the path to purpose of bringing glory to God and being His instrument of good to His covenant people. In this Joseph was a shadow of the Christ to come, who in the Lord Jesus has come. In Jesus we know the “… but God” reality, the joy of His Sovereignty in the Silence.