Plot Twist!

Have you ever noticed a plot twist of God unfolding in your life?

When I think about a plot twist, I immediately think about the life of Joseph. Joseph’s story is shared in the book of Genesis and it’s a wild ride. Here’s a quick recap:

Joseph is deemed as his dad’s, “favorite.” His 10 older brothers get jealous, think about killing him, decide not to, and instead, sell him into slavery. He then spends years gaining favor with a guy he works for named Potiphar, only to eventually be falsely accused of assault by Potiphar’s wife. He’s then thrown in jail where he languishes for almost 2 years, and we assume that’s the end of Joseph’s story. However, through a series of miraculous events, Joseph is released and elevated to second in command over all of Egypt.

With his newfound power and influence, Joseph devises a plan to save Egypt and the surrounding lands from an ensuing drought. People from all over come to Egypt and Joseph for food to survive, including Joseph’s brothers.

After a series, of back-and-forths and playful deceptions, a long-awaited reunion takes place. Joseph shows mercy to his brothers and forgives them for their deception, abandonment, and betrayal.

But, the brothers couldn’t accept Joseph’s forgiveness. They weren’t convinced Joseph was telling the truth! We pick up the story in Genesis chapter 50, verse 18,

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

So, after sending this message questioning Joseph’s loyalty from afar, they say, “You know what? We can’t take any chances. Let’s go find him.”

So, they pack up, head to Egypt, come before Joseph and pledge their service to him.

“WE ARE YOUR SLAVES. WE’LL DO ANYTHING. PLEASE.” 

See, the brother’s inability to accept Joseph’s kindness led to a distorted image of Joseph’s character.

They didn’t deserve to be forgiven, but Joseph forgave anyway.

They didn’t deserve to be treated kindly, but Joseph did anyway.

My friend, we don’t deserve to be forgiven.

We don’t deserve a second, third, or 50th chance.

We don’t deserve grace after grace, but that is who God is! And our inability to see that doesn’t change that fact it only distorts God’s character in our own minds.

Joseph’s response to these outrageous and unnecessary pleas for forgiveness is fascinating.

Verse 19, “But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?’”

Translation: fix your perspective!

Forgive yourself.

I’m not God! God is God! And God forgives unconditionally, irrevocably, lavishly, scandalously.

And then, Joseph hits them with the right hook of plot twists. Verse 20, he says, “YOU intended to harm me, but GOD intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

C’mon Joseph!

He says, “look! You don’t understand who God is!”

Because you intended to harm me.

You intended to get rid of me.

You intended to eliminate me from your life.

But God is so sovereign, so powerful, so wise, so in-control that he was able to take the harmful actions you took against me and use them for good.

Mic drop. Plot twist.

Joseph says, “look, God knew he wanted to use me to save many lives. I was going to do that one way or another, your sinful actions couldn’t inhibit God from doing what he wanted to do through me.”

And that, my friend, is the very same thing God wants to say as you read these words.

Your sinful actions—your worst mistakes, your deepest regrets, your biggest shortcomings—could not, cannot and will not inhibit God from accomplishing what he wants to do through you. 

That’s the God we serve.

Our God is a God who flips the script.

Over and over and over again.

Be encouraged.