These words were spoken by Joseph in the familiar Old Testament story of Joseph’s journey to triumph over tragedy, misfortune, and misdeeds. He spoke to his brothers in a powerful moment of forgiveness, as his own family had many years before faked his death and sold him into slavery. Now Joseph was obedient and trusted God throughout the course of his life, and so was blessed to be in a position to help many people survive a devastating drought, including the brothers who had once betrayed him. Joseph had been given the clarity and wisdom to see God’s fingerprints on every part of his life, even the bad things, the tough stuff, the set-backs. All the while God was working out a plan for Joseph that would save the lives of thousands of people, bless Joseph’s sandals off, and ultimately give glory and honor to the Lord. And like so many stories of the Old Testament, Joseph’s words echo across eternity because they are a foreshadowing of the power of the resurrection. Certainly the cross of Jesus is the perfect example of the truth Joseph spoke.
We have witnessed this to be true in Uganda, too. Over and over, our friends at Ebenezer have faced trials and struggles, both personally and as a congregation, but God is using all the bad stuff for good. And today, this is happening in Newnan, GA. Even before the ink was dry on the park permit for a neonazi hate group, God was assembling His people together for unity in Christ. Once the people of Newnan received word of this group’s intention to rally, we banded together like never before in support of our businesses, our law enforcement, and support for one another. My prayer is that God’s glory and honor and powerful love will shine brighter than ever through Christians in Newnan—in our coming together as one body, in our speaking out for love, instead of remaining silent in the face of ugliness and hatred. How many lives might be saved for all eternity through our testimony that the blood of Jesus can bind up wounds--even old ones, can draw us to repentance and faith, a faith that is for all races and creeds, and can heal our land of the sins of our forefathers and our own sins of silence and apathy?
Today, pray for FBC Newnan. Pray for Ebenezer. We must obey God’s call to lead our communities in the love of Jesus. It begins with us, because true healing can only begin in Him. “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9
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