Turning Tables.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 ESV
It’s interesting to find out how some of our well known sayings and figures of speech originated. “Turning the tables” is associated with board-games like chess. It refers to competitors changing sides at some stage of the game, effectively swapping the playing pieces and the positions they’re in. When the “tables are turned” the advantage is reversed. The saying is used to describe a reversal of position, situations where someone’s efforts against us are turned in our favour.
What God does in Joseph’s life is a great example of tables being turned. His own brothers faked his death and sold him into slavery, but this put into motion a series of events which saw him ultimately elevated to second in command of the entire Egyptian empire spanning most of the middle east.
Joseph knew this had nothing to do with fortune, and that God had used everything in his life to fulfil a predetermined plan to save the lives of countless people. We see this turning of tables frequently in Scripture but never so wonderfully as in the cross of Jesus. God turned the murder of His Son into the very way that His Son defeated sin, death and Satan. Our loving Father God is omnipotent and all knowing, He always has been and always will be, and we can trust Him to turn every situation to His advantage, to His glory and to our ultimate favour.
Prayer.
Thank You Father God, that though we cannot understand Your plans and purposes, we know that You will never fail. Thank You for what You did with Jospeh’s life, with life our Lord Jesus Christ. You are awesome God. Please forgive us when we despair and distrust for lack of faith, and help us to keep our eyes on Jesus remembering that all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to you purpose (Romans 8:28). Please strengthen and encourage us through out struggles. We praise You Father and ask that You would use the situations we are in to make us more like Jesus, and to bring You glory honour and praise. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship.
Hold it all together Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere And barely leaves you holding on
And when you're tired of fighting Chained by your control
There's freedom in surrender Lay it down and let it go
So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross You'll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted In time, you'll understand
I'm painting beauty with the ashes Your life is in My hands
Lift your hands, lift your eyes In the storm is where you'll find Me
And where you are, I'll hold your heart I'll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest In the arms of the God who won't let go
Service.
In Joseph’s time of struggle he kept focused on doing what he could, to the best of his abilities, whether it was in the household of his slave-owner Potiphar or in the prison he was wrongly condemned to. We need to ask God to give us the same clarity of purpose, and faithful perseverance. Whatever we find ourselves doing, we can choose to be like Joseph and trust God to use our circumstances to a greater glory than we could ever imagine.