Trusting God's Sovereignty in Life's Trials
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the story of Joseph from Genesis 37 and Genesis 50, focusing on the theme of God's sovereignty. We began by acknowledging that many people enjoy stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end, but I admitted my tendency to skip to the end. This led us to look at Joseph's story from the end, where he tells his brothers, "You planned evil against me, but God planned it for good" (Genesis 50:20). This perspective helps us understand the unfolding events in Joseph's life through the lens of God's sovereign plan.
Joseph's life was filled with trials: he was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Yet, through all these hardships, God was orchestrating events for a greater purpose—the survival of many people and the eventual coming of Christ. We examined how God is sovereign over the little things, the ways of man, our failed plans, our suffering, and the paths of life. Each of these aspects of God's sovereignty was illustrated through Joseph's experiences and supported by other biblical references.
We discussed how a seemingly insignificant man in a field directed Joseph to his brothers, setting off a chain of events that would lead to Joseph's rise in Egypt. This shows that God is in control of even the smallest details. We also saw how God used the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers and the pride of rulers like Nebuchadnezzar to fulfill His divine purposes. When our plans fail, we can trust that God is still in control and working for our good. Even in our suffering, like Jacob mourning for Joseph or personal losses we may face, God is sovereign and uses these experiences for His glory and our growth.
Finally, we were reminded that God's sovereignty extends to the paths of our lives. The improbable series of events that led Joseph to Egypt were all part of God's meticulous plan. This should give us comfort and assurance that no matter what we face, God is in control and working all things for good.
### Key Takeaways
1. God is Sovereign Over the Little Things: The seemingly insignificant details in our lives are under God's control. Just as the unnamed man in the field directed Joseph to his brothers, setting off a chain of events that would save many, God uses the small moments in our lives for His greater purpose. Trust that even mundane tasks and interactions are part of His divine plan. [56:46]
2. God is Sovereign Over the Ways of Man: Human plans and actions, even those with evil intentions, cannot thwart God's purposes. The conspiracy among Joseph's brothers and the pride of rulers like Nebuchadnezzar were all used by God to fulfill His divine will. This reminds us that no authority or power can stand against God's plan. [01:00:48]
3. God is Sovereign When Our Plans Fail: When our plans don't work out, it can be disheartening, but we must remember that God's plans are higher and better. Joseph's and his father's plans failed, but these failures were part of God's greater plan for good. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is in control even when our plans fall apart. [01:04:57]
4. God is Sovereign Over Our Suffering: Pain and suffering are difficult to endure, but they are not outside of God's control. Jacob's mourning for Joseph and personal losses we experience are used by God for His glory and our growth. We may not understand the purpose of our suffering now, but we can trust that God is using it for good. [01:08:06]
5. God is Sovereign Over the Paths of Life: The paths our lives take, no matter how improbable, are directed by God. The unique circumstances that led Joseph to Egypt were all part of God's meticulous plan. This should give us comfort and assurance that God is guiding our steps and working all things for our good and His glory. [01:12:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[43:59] - Introduction: Movie Watching Habits
[44:47] - Spoiling the Ending
[45:50] - Overview of Joseph's Story
[46:40] - Genesis 37:12 and Genesis 50:20
[47:35] - Joseph's Journey
[48:33] - Genesis 50:20: God's Plan for Good
[49:38] - Defining Sovereignty
[50:42] - Genesis 37:12-17: Joseph's Search
[51:25] - Brothers' Plot Against Joseph
[52:24] - Reuben's Attempt to Save Joseph
[53:15] - Judah's Proposal
[54:05] - Jacob's Mourning
[55:53] - Prayer
[56:46] - God is Sovereign Over the Little Things
[01:00:48] - God is Sovereign Over the Ways of Man
[01:04:57] - God is Sovereign When Our Plans Fail
[01:08:06] - God is Sovereign Over Our Suffering
[01:12:41] - God is Sovereign Over the Paths of Life
[01:18:24] - Invitation to Trust in God's Sovereignty
[01:25:44] - Announcements
[01:33:43] - Closing Prayer and Offering
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 37:12-17
2. Genesis 50:20
3. Proverbs 19:21
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Joseph's initial task given by his father in Genesis 37:12-17?
2. How did Joseph's brothers react when they saw him approaching in Genesis 37:18-20?
3. What does Joseph say to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 about their intentions and God's plan?
4. According to Proverbs 19:21, what ultimately prevails over human plans?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the encounter with the unnamed man in the field (Genesis 37:15-17) illustrate God's sovereignty over the little things? [50:42]
2. In what ways did God use the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers to fulfill His divine purposes? [48:33]
3. How can the story of Joseph help us understand God's control over our suffering and failed plans? [01:04:57]
4. What does Joseph's journey from slavery to power in Egypt teach us about God's sovereignty over the paths of our lives? [01:12:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when a seemingly insignificant event in your life led to a significant outcome. How can you see God's hand in that situation? [50:42]
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where someone's harmful intentions were used by God for good? How did that change your perspective on God's sovereignty? [48:33]
3. When your plans fail, how do you typically respond? How can you better trust in God's higher and better plans during such times? [01:04:57]
4. Think about a period of suffering in your life. How might God have been using that experience for His glory and your growth? [01:08:06]
5. Joseph's life took many unexpected turns, yet each was part of God's meticulous plan. How can this truth provide comfort and assurance in your current life circumstances? [01:12:41]
6. How can you remind yourself daily that God is in control, even over the smallest details of your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this mindset?
7. Identify a current challenge or trial you are facing. How can you apply the lessons from Joseph's story to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness in this situation? [01:15:44]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Hand in the Small Details
Description: The story of Joseph illustrates that God is sovereign over even the smallest details of our lives. In Genesis 37:15-17, an unnamed man directs Joseph to his brothers, setting off a chain of events that would eventually lead to the salvation of many people. This seemingly insignificant encounter was part of God's greater plan. Similarly, the mundane tasks and interactions in our lives are under God's control and can be used for His divine purposes. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is at work in every aspect of our lives, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. [56:46]
Genesis 37:15-17 (ESV): "And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, 'What are you seeking?' 'I am seeking my brothers,' he said. 'Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.' And the man said, 'They have gone away, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan."' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan."
Reflection: Think of a recent mundane task or interaction you had. How might God be using that small detail for a greater purpose in your life or the lives of others?
Day 2: God's Control Over Human Actions
Description: Human plans and actions, even those with evil intentions, cannot thwart God's purposes. Joseph's brothers conspired to harm him, and rulers like Nebuchadnezzar acted out of pride, yet God used these actions to fulfill His divine will. This demonstrates that no authority or power can stand against God's plan. When we face opposition or witness evil actions, we can take comfort in knowing that God is still in control and will use these circumstances for His glory and our good. [01:00:48]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when someone's actions negatively impacted you. How can you trust that God is using that situation for His greater purpose?
Day 3: Trusting God When Plans Fail
Description: When our plans don't work out, it can be disheartening, but we must remember that God's plans are higher and better. Joseph's and his father's plans failed, but these failures were part of God's greater plan for good. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is in control even when our plans fall apart. This perspective helps us to remain hopeful and faithful, knowing that God is working all things for our good, even when we cannot see it. [01:04:57]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a recent plan that did not work out as you hoped. How can you trust that God's plan is better and that He is in control?
Day 4: Finding Purpose in Suffering
Description: Pain and suffering are difficult to endure, but they are not outside of God's control. Jacob's mourning for Joseph and personal losses we experience are used by God for His glory and our growth. We may not understand the purpose of our suffering now, but we can trust that God is using it for good. This belief can provide comfort and strength during difficult times, knowing that our suffering is not in vain and that God is with us through it all. [01:08:06]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Reflect on a current or past suffering you have experienced. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how might He be using it for your growth and His glory?
Day 5: God's Guidance in Life's Paths
Description: The paths our lives take, no matter how improbable, are directed by God. The unique circumstances that led Joseph to Egypt were all part of God's meticulous plan. This should give us comfort and assurance that God is guiding our steps and working all things for our good and His glory. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is actively involved in our lives, directing our paths according to His perfect plan. [01:12:41]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: Consider the path your life has taken. How can you see God's guidance in the events and decisions that have led you to where you are today? How can you trust Him with your future steps?
Quotes
1. "So I realize and appreciate that many of you do not like plot spoilers and hearing the end of the story at the beginning. But I have to apologize. I'm going to do that today. I'm going to do that today. Now, in my defense, the story that we're going through, it unfolded 4,000 years ago or more. So if you're with us today and don't know how it ends, that's not going to be on me, all right? But if you would, if you're in your pew Bibles, pull open the pew Bible to page 32. This is going to be Genesis 37, Genesis 37, and we're going to start with verse 12." [45:50] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He says, brothers. You planned evil against me. You planned evil against me, but God planned it for good to bring about the present result, the survival of many people. He said, you planned evil against me, but God planned it for good to bring about the present result, the survival of many people. So God had purposed the family to survive. God had purposed the family to thrive and then to evangelize. Eventually be enslaved, to be released from slavery, to establish a kingdom that would descend all the way to Christ." [48:33] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is sovereign over the little things. God is sovereign over the ways of man. God is sovereign when your plans fail. He is sovereign over your suffering and he is sovereign over the paths of life. Now, a quick sidebar as I use the word sovereign there. In today's American culture, the word sovereign doesn't quite carry a meaning, but in past monarchies where kings were in authority and had power, it had a more richer meaning than what we often think about today. So we're going to define. We're going to define sovereignty as having the authority and the power, the authority and the power to carry your plans out." [49:38] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God is sovereign over the little things. We see this throughout. We see this throughout scripture. In Luke 12, Luke 12, we hear of not one sparrow falling to the ground apart from God. We see that God has the very hairs on your head numbered. In Proverbs 20, we see that a man's very steps, a man's very steps come from the decree and the plan and the purpose of God. In Proverbs 16, we see that when we roll the dice, that the outcome of the dice roll is the plan of God." [59:53] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God is sovereign over the little things. God is sovereign over the little things. And God is also sovereign over the ways of man. If we look in 18 through 22, in the middle part of this text, we see multiple rounds of conversation happening, debate amongst the brothers. Now, at the first sight of the multicolored coach approaching him in the distance, they started plotting, conspiring. They said, let's kill him. It'll be easy. We can get away with it. I can just hear the conspiracy amongst the brothers. If you read earlier on in the text, you see when Joseph is originally being called out as the favored one, it says the brothers could not speak a kind word to him. This hatred had gone on for a while. This festering had gone on. So, let's kill him. And then in Reuben's selfishness, he brings about the thought, oh, okay, well, let's not kill him. Maybe I can get in good with the father again. So, the conspiring, the plan that takes place." [01:00:48] (64 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "God is sovereign when plans fail. And we see this here in the story of Joseph and his brothers. We see multiple plans at work. Everybody has a plan. Everybody's trying to build their own kingdom. You've got multiple plans at work here. We see the brothers' plans to kill Joseph. Reuben's plan is in there to rescue Joseph. They all failed. None of that came to fruition. Joseph's plan and his father's plan. Joseph's father's plan was just to go check on the brothers. Just go out there and check on the brothers. Those plans failed. I'm sure all of us have experienced the disappointment, the pain, when our plans have failed." [01:04:57] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God is sovereign over our suffering and he purposes it for good. And Isaiah 45 verse 7, it says, I form light, this is God speaking, I form light and create darkness. I make success and I create disaster. Success, disaster. I am the Lord who does all of these things. And he oft quoted and memorized Romans 8, 28. He says, we know, we know that all things, not just the good things, not just some things, not the small things, not just the big things, but all things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to his purpose." [01:11:13] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God is sovereign over the paths of life. Now, philosophers, theologians, zealous cage-stage college students will sit around and they will discuss these matters in deep detail and length and have all kinds of sophisticated conversations that in truth have no applicational value in our lives. But for those of us who have sat in a doctor's waiting room facing a question, we have to say, God is sovereign over all the paths of life. For those of us who have seen a pending diagnosis of cancer, for those of us who have seen our career plans dashed on the rocks of God's divine providence, those of us that have lost loved ones or dealing with loved ones that are on the brink of loss now, those of us that are currently in turmoil, experiencing trials, tribulations, we can rest assured in this very practically that God is sovereign over the little things." [01:15:44] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And we can sit here looking at our situations, at our times of trouble, and we can say, God is meaning this for good. And we can look back at this time from the age of 17, where he was ripped from his family, his favored position. He can look at all of the steps that his brothers had made him go through. And he can say, brothers, you meant this for evil, but God, God meant this for good, so that many would be saved. And we can sit here looking at our situations, at our times of trouble, and we can say, God is meaning this for good, so that many would be saved." [01:17:24] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And may we be a people that trusts God and takes our next step with Christ. Let us pray. Lord, we thank you so much for this testimony of Joseph and his brothers. As we think about the pain that Joseph would have endured, the wickedness of his brothers, the selfishness of the many plans that were at play, God, I pray that you would convict us where our plans are not your plans. I pray that you would convict us when our ways are not your ways. And I pray that you would encourage us so that we know that you are in control over all these matters and you are working good for us and glory for you. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen." [01:18:24] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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