In the Pit

Ever had one of those times at work when you know you’ve been misrepresented by someone? Maybe you had an idea and told your boss, and they presented it as their own. Or perhaps a co-worker made a mistake and blamed you. Or what if you were maliciously attacked and fired for no good reason?

That’s embarrassing. Humiliating. And it hurts.

Especially if it was a friend.

Imagine if it were your brothers.  

Genesis 37: 24 NASB ... ”and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.”

It happened to Joseph. They tossed him into an empty well, sat down to eat a meal, and planned to kill him. Sure, he probably rubbed his brothers the wrong way by telling them of his dreams about them bowing to him one day. And it didn’t help that their father bought him a multi-colored tunic. Talk about sibling rivalry.

They wanted to kill him—but they didn’t.

They couldn’t—because God had a purpose.

The oldest brother secretly decides to free Joseph later, but when he returns after running an errand, his younger brothers sell Joseph to slave traders.

Poof—he’s off to Egypt with seemingly no help, no hope, and for no reason, Joseph is in the pit, literally.

You ever been there? You might even be there now. If not, it might be right around the corner. So, what do you do when you are surrounded by darkness and can’t even view the light at the top?

First, look up. Joseph’s misfortune had a divine purpose. As you continue your Bible reading in Genesis, you will see how grand and great and awesome that purpose was. He is treated unfairly, condemned for something he did not do, and forgotten. Yet, at just the right time, he became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Not for his glory, but God’s. Jehovah’s plans cannot be thwarted. He purposed to rescue His people. And He gives them hope and comfort while He does.

It reminds me of another Scripture passage:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

So, look up and hang in there.

Next, look around. Maybe someone around you needs your encouragement. In my 58 years of life, I’ve noticed again and again that you never know what is going on in someone’s life. I tell everyone everything. (Which is not a good idea.) But, most people keep things to themselves. But if you look and pray and watch, you may have the great privilege of receiving a blessing by being a blessing.

Check out these verses:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

God comforts us, we comfort others, and then they comfort someone else. It’s a God thing.

And then, trust God. The end of Joseph’s story probably exceeded his expectations. But some pits don’t end so well. Maybe you’ve lost your health, or your spouse left you, or a child died.

That is a deep pit.

Remember this: This is NOT our best life now!

Look at these verses:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4 NASB.

Being Prime Minister of Egypt doesn’t compare to heaven.

You can count on that.

So my friend, look up, look around, and trust God.

That is our happy ending.

Copyright © 2018 Pauline Hylton, used by permission.