Encouragement

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The Road to Blessing Leads Through Affliction:
By Sharon Riddle

ACT 7:9-10 "And the patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. And yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

ACT 7:11-14 "Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it; and our fathers could find no food. "But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. "And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was disclosed to Pharaoh. "And Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all.

I was listening the other day to Dr. Charles Stanley as he spoke. He said “God will only take you through a trial for the purpose of approval.” This is true, however, I would venture to go a step further. God takes us through trials to lead us to blessing. In Acts chapter 7 we see two illustrations of this very principle. Here we have Joseph on the road to the blessing of becoming Pharaoh’s right hand man, but look at the path he must walk to get it… the affliction and hatred of his brothers. Their scorn transports him to God’s destination of blessing. Jacob sees the restoration of his family and his sons experience forgiveness, but famine and affliction are the road that gets them heading in the right direction. God has to get Jacob to Egypt so He can bless him. Jacob will have to be moved to get him there. Hunger and trouble are the cart he rides.

And so it goes. The things that are the most difficult in life are the very tools God uses to bring us to His greatest blessings. The trials we sometimes face steer us in the direction of God’s best for us. Are you in a difficult place right now? Take comfort in this… The destination God has in mind for you is stated clearly in Jeremiah 29:11 (Living Bible) For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Looking through the pain to the prize,

Sharon Riddle

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