Irony is such a large part of our culture. Whenever things in our lives tend to go wrong, one of the first questions we immediately ask is…”Why is God doing this to me???” That would, of course, be the same God we have tried to eradicate from all aspects of our culture…??? Conversely, when fortune smiles on us or we accomplish or attain something of worth–We grab all the credit and glory.
Since time began, men have always wanted to grab the glory but divert the blame. Such was the case with Joseph’s Brothers. As they were journeying home, full packs, full tummies and full of questions, these men were proud they negotiated their release–but as they all found their silver in their bags, “What Has God Done To US?!?”
Their question was not only valid, but, it was accurate. God protected and provided for them. He refused to accept payment for the foodstuffs HE put in those bags God planned for an eternity to provide for them. But, since they were too self centered to recognize his provision, they now stood distraught to see their payment in the saddlebags. He was making them face the difficult truth–they COULD NOT survive on their own.
It is a difficult proposition, one we all have to face. Rick Warren said it best, “It’s not about you!” God, not man, is the author and perfector of the journey. He creates and calls the shots. Most we do not understand, many leave us confused and somewhat resentful; but all work together for an amazing journey that will not be completely revealed until we stand before him. In the meantime, we simply have to trust and humbly follow.
God Bless You
At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. 28 “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”
Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’
33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade[a] in the land.’”
Walking With God 