August 21, 2018
Acts 7:9-15 New Living Translation (NLT)
I always enjoy when the New Testament and the Old Testament are merge in our reading; it brings a much fuller understanding of God’s heart and message. Such is the case with our passage today. God covered Joseph with favor and imparted wisdom to him; it manifest in dreams that were hard to understand. Others around Joseph rejected him and his dreams; denied he was hearing from God. His brothers formed the opinion that he was arrogant and self-exalting. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused, spent time in prison, and waited for the righteousness of God to act in his behalf.
Luke reminds us about the journey of Joseph and how he tried not to allow the inner stumble “skandalon” to hinder his walk into the promises of God. He certainly had challenges that would trip anyone up; he must have felt his family and God had forgotten him. But, by faith, he stayed the course and finished his destiny in the wisdom of God. What the enemy meant for harm, God used for good in order to bring about a way of salvation for many (Genesis 50:20). Joseph realized his purpose included forgiving those who had wronged him; welcoming them back in order to provide for them. Think about the people in your life. Think about your relationship with God. Do you need to forgive someone? Has God used a “skandalon” in your life to bring about something good; salvation for more people?