Joseph is another example we have seen in scripture of the Providence of God working in his life. His brothers threw him into a pit then sold him into slavery, a malicious act in and of itself, but in due time Joseph recognized that through his brothers’ actions God was acting.
Joseph said in Genesis 45:8 “So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, the lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”
Joseph recognized the hand of God in his life sovereignly directing all the events to bring about God’s plan for him. God used even the malicious act of his brothers selling him into slavery to fulfill the plan and purpose he had for Joseph’s life.
My friend, God has sovereign control of every aspect of our lives. He is in absolute control. He does not get frustrated or surprised by the events in our lives. He doesn’t sleep or look away only to come back and see we took a wrong turn in our lives or we fell into a pit somewhere. No, He is with us 24/7 watching us, carrying us through the tough times, leading us through our lives, working out the details to fulfill the plan and purpose He has for us.
What distinguishes the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God; our suffering has meaning and purpose in God’s eternal plan. The doctrine of God’s providence clearly affirms that we can trust Him. God does care for us and He does constantly, not occasionally, govern all the affairs of our lives.