Romans 8:27-28 “He [God] knows us far better than we know ourselves, …That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
God knows you intimately and you can trust that every detail of your life is worked into something good. To live like that is called faith. It’s accepting the reality of life and I continue to live for God. Why? Because I believe that every detail of my life will be worked into something good.
One of the most remarkable stories in the Bible is the story of Joseph. What makes Joseph’s story so amazing is that every time he did the right thing, something bad happened and he continued to believe in God. Joseph’s father loved him more than his brothers and that made is brother’s jealous. What happened? “When Joseph reached his brothers, they ripped off the fancy coat he was wearing, grabbed him, and threw him into a cistern. The cistern was dry; there wasn’t any water in it… By that time the Midianite traders were passing by. His brothers pulled Joseph out of the cistern and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites who took Joseph with them down to Egypt.” MSG Genesis 37:23-24, 28
Then scripture says the most remarkable thing. “As it turned out, GOD was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master.” MSG Genesis 39:2
While Joseph was working for the Egyptian master, what happened? “Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, “Sleep with me.” He wouldn’t do it… She told [her husband] “The Hebrew slave, the one you brought to us, came after me and tried to use me for his plaything. When I yelled and screamed, he left his coat with me and ran outside.” When his master heard his wife’s story, telling him, “These are the things your slave did to me,” he was furious. Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the jail where the king’s prisoners were locked up.”
Then scripture says the most remarkable thing. “But there in jail GOD was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer.” MSG Genesis 39:6-8, 17-22
Faith is when I accept the reality of life and I continue to live for God. Why? Because I believe that every detail of my life will be worked into something good.
Just real quickly, 2 things I want to share with you. #1. What faith is not. Faith isn’t a way to twist God’s arm to get Him to do what you want. #2. What is frustrating about faith. Having faith can be frustrating because – Your life may not look like you thought it would. Look @ Joseph. Sold by brothers. Bosses wife lies about him and is thrown into prison. And what does scripture say:: “…and God was with Joseph”
Do you live with faith? Do you accept the reality of life and continue to live for God. Why? Because you believe that every detail of your life will be worked into something good. I think that’s what Romans 8:27-28 talks about. “He [God] knows us far better than we know ourselves, …That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”