Notes of Faith June 28, 2026
God Works Through Hardship and Suffering
All the years of hardship and suffering had indeed put iron into Joseph’s soul. He was not easily swayed by his emotions or by outward circumstances. His inner peace came from his stalwart faith in the God who saved him from the pit and brought him to the palace.
He didn’t look at his brothers with hatred or disappointment but instead responded with the supernatural love of God when he said,
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. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. — Genesis 50:19–21
Such mercy and grace must have put them in awe as they received such unrestrained love and forgiveness. With increasing clarity, they had to see that Joseph was more than just a powerful Egyptian official. He was also a man of power in character, honor, and godliness.
Joseph clearly saw God’s divine hand in putting him in the pit, even to the point of God allowing his brothers to sell him into slavery. His life was not all about himself. There had been a much greater purpose!
God never allows suffering in our lives without a reason. All of it, absolutely all of it, is for the much greater purpose of His glory. We can submit to Him like Joseph has modeled, for our own ultimate good. That’s one aspect of our hope. Suffering for the child of God is not wasted. There is a divine purpose to it.
God knows and sees it all! We can fall at the feet of Jesus and know that we will find His mercy and strength to keep going. We can trust Him to guide, provide, comfort, forgive, reconcile, rebuke, avenge, and satisfy us every step, every day of our lives.
God, I need Your strength to live as Joseph lived for Your honor and glory alone. I surrender all to Your plan and purpose for my life. In the days that are left, use me in such a way that others can see Your character reflected in me and applaud You. I choose to live with eternity in view, filled with confident hope that You won’t leave me here.
Excerpted from the YouVersion devotional series featuring God Won’t Leave You There by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright.
If we would spend more time in intimacy with God, to speak to Him in our pain and suffering…like Job, and Joseph, we may find not only solace and peace, but joy in the Lord, knowing that He is in full control and providing all that we need and more for His glory and our good!
Follow me, as I pursue this relationship with our Creator and Savior, to truly know Him and His love for us, stiving to be obedient to His commands and will, to live a life on earth pleasing to Him and expectant to hear from Him, “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Master.”!
Pastor Dale