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“Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.” Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem” Genesis 37:13 -14 NASB
Translation: Joseph, come here, go and find out how your brothers are doing and come and tell me how they are getting on.
“Then Jesse said to David his son, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves and run to the camp to your brothers. Bring also these ten cuts of cheese to the commander of their thousand, and look into the welfare of your brothers, and bring back news of them.” 1 Samuel 17:17-18 NASB
Translation: David, go and find out how your brothers are doing, come back and let me how they are getting on.
In the first Bible passage we find Israel speaking to Joseph. In the second, we find Jesse speaking to David. Though they lived several hundred years apart, both fathers issued a set of instructions to their sons.
Very similar instructions, two very different outcomes. Before the end of each son’s day, one had been sold into slavery, the other had become a giant slayer! Yet, through each set of circumstances, the Father was at work, connecting dots, unveiling gifts, allowing stumbling blocks to become stepping stones and a slingshot into a destiny propeller.
Joseph, in due time, in spite of his immigration status to say the least, became prime minister and saviour of Egypt and his entire family. By manifesting his purpose, he saved entire nations from certain death, death by starvation! Though Joseph had a different battle to David to fight, nonetheless, the plans God had for him meant that God was in all things working for good.
In Romans 8:28 Paul states “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (emphasis mine). And we know …….. Paul writes from a place of knowledge and experience. Much of the letters Paul wrote, to strengthen and encourage believers was written from a prison where he had been placed. Nevertheless, he could say, that in all things God was working for good.
When talking with someone with whom you have a shared experience or knowledge of a thing, and you preface your statement with “you know”, you allude to the fact that what you are about to say is not entirely news to your listener. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good ………”
How do we know this? We know through Scriptures. We know through the stories of Joseph and David. We realise that through the narratives of Ruth, Esther and Rahab, through the stores of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Lazarus and countless others. We know through the experience of God working in our lives and in the lives of friends and family.
Translated, Paul is saying, this is not entirely new, you know and I am only writing to remind you of what you already know; that God wastes no experience.
The AMP Bible puts it this way “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
Therefore, a key element in knowing that God is working all things for good, is you functioning in and fulfilling your purpose. Because you are fulfilling His plan and purpose for your life, you are confident that everything, good or bad will serve His ultimate plan for your welfare. I am sure you know, that as Jeremiah 29:11 says he knows the plans that He has for you, they are for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
So, if you are woman reading this post and you need help in figuring out His plan for your life and manifesting your unique calling, then let me invite you to clear your diary for September 21 and join an amazing group of women at the Empowering Mothers Conference 2019; Manifest God’s calling. This Conference has been designed with you in mind solely for that reason. Click this link to find out more. It’s absolutely free to register. Don’t delay though, spaces are filling up fast ?
Thanks for reading.
Emi x
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