Untold Stories: Remembering the Faithfulness of GodSample

Living Witness

To see the hand of God in the moment of difficult circumstances is an acquired skill, and it may take many of us years of experience to do so. But, when we look back at our lives, we realize that we truly have become living witnesses of the goodness of God. We can see where He spared our lives in the darkest season, sent refreshing in the driest time, protection from an unseen enemy, or even solace in the loneliest moment. In hindsight, we can see how He was weaving together our story into His. It reminds me of the story of Joseph.

As we read the story of Joseph’s life in Genesis 37-45 (and there is more to unpack in his story than I am going to delve into), we realize that we are not the only ones who have lived a series of unfortunate events and family drama. Joseph’s own brothers sold him into slavery because they were mad at him over a dream (that he may have unwisely shared) and maybe a bit jealous of a special coat his father gave him.

Now, we do not get to see the daily saga as the Bible does not give all the details, but I think it must have gotten pretty bad for things to get to the level of selling your brother into slavery. Then, after he was sold to a stranger as a slave, he worked his way up into the favored spot, only to be wrongfully accused of trying to seduce his boss’s wife. Next, we find him in prison—forgotten and abandoned by all it seems, until he interprets a dream for Pharaoh’s top servants. However, when the dream comes true as Joseph says, he is forgotten for years again.

But when it was God’s timing for him, he goes to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh and shows him God’s warning of the coming famine to Egypt and the surrounding lands. He brings the strategy of God to help Egypt prosper in a time of disaster. Then Pharaoh responds by elevating Joseph into a great place of favor as the second in charge over all Egypt. Cue the return of the family drama…

My favorite moment is when Joseph's brothers show up in Egypt to ask for food because they too were experiencing famine. Joseph had made Egypt an epicenter for prosperity and distribution during the famine. They have no idea that Joseph is even alive, but he recognizes them right away. When he finally tells them who he is in Genesis 45:8, he tells his brothers that it was God who sent him there and not them so that he could save them and actually get them one step closer to their destiny as the soon-to-be Israelite nation. He did not take the position of offense but instead decided to see the goodness of God in every step. He walked those painstaking steps year after year. Most of us would have given up long before Joseph did. BUT, Joseph had held on and was now a living witness to God's goodness and His faithfulness to keep His promises.

Pray this prayer with me:

Lord, give me the ability to see God's hand in every step. Help me see that You are faithful to complete Your words despite the instability, brokenness, or even persecution I am feeling now. Help me to become Your living witness!