“Your Situation Is In God’s Plan For Humanity!”

“Your Situation Is In God’s Plan For Humanity!”(Phi.1:12-14).
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”(Gen.50:19-20).
These words of Joseph to his wicked brothers finds equivalence in those of Paul to the Philippians and by extension to us. “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
Over the years these beautiful lines of Joseph is manifested in the lives of Christians; especially church workers. The vindictiveness of evil-minded administrators intentionally decide to bury some talents just because such persons challenge the incontinence of status quo!
That is exactly what the overzealous religious authorities of Judaism did to Paul by imprisoning him; the same warped up minds that induced them to kill Jesus, thinking that they were doing a service to the LORD. Knowing their ignorance and while on the cross Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”(Lk.23:34).
Enemies capitalise on our yesterdays to deal with us punitively today but since our tomorrow is hidden from us all, enemies do not know that they are mere tools in God’s hands. This is what Joseph wanted his brothers and us to understand. This is what Jesus wanted the religious authorities and us to understand. This is what Paul wanted the Philippians and us to understand. The hardships we go through for the sake of the gospel only help to spread the gospel.
Paul’s painful experience was not only about his imprisonment, he faced the challenge of other preachers who preached Christ out of envy and rivalry. Such kind of preachers were doing so out of selfish ambition, supposing that they could stir trouble for Paul who was in chains.
That notwithstanding, Paul’s conclusion was and still is: “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice”(Phi.1:15-18).
Dear friend, always endeavour to make the best of any bad situation because evil-intentioned human decisions are coatings of God’s good plan!
Weekend prayer: LORD, use me as an instrument of your grace anywhere, anytime and under any condition. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.