As we go through this wonderful blessing known as life, we meet thousands and thousands of people (unless you live in Mankato, then it's tens of people). With each salutation and good bye we become a living witness to people. Some people can take 15 seconds and know a person thoroughly, and others it can take decades and they still won't know a person. But the question that I pose (and will attempt to answer) is: Does God put people in our lives at just the right moment, to help us through a trial, tribulation, or dinner?
While I was reading in Genesis (spec. 37:12-36) I came across something that intrigued me. At this point, Joseph had angered his brothers by telling them that he would rule over them. Now the idea of the second youngest being in charge was rarely thought of. In fact, society at that time, dictated that the oldest son got the bulk of the glory and the youngest ones got the bulk of the droppings. So when Joseph announced that he would rule over them, his brothers got a bit angered and annoyed with him.
An opportunity presented itself to rid the brothers of Joseph. They wanted to kill him, but Rueben, the eldest, said no that's not a bright idea, let's throw him in a hole instead (he wanted to rescue him later). After they gently tossed Joseph in the hole, Rueben left. (I don't want to speculate, but he may have went to make his favorite sandwich) Along came a caravan of Ishmaelites, and the brothers had another idea. Judah convinced the other brothers that it would be bad if they killed Joseph, but it would be ok to sell him into slavery. (My thoughts on that is Judah was hoping the Ishmaelites would kill Joseph, especially after Joseph would tell them of his dreams of ruling over them) The Ishmaelites bought him and away they went.
This is what got me thinking about divine encounters. If the Ishmaelites wouldn't have shown up, what would the brothers have done. Rueben was hoping to rescue Joseph and take him back to his father. The others were getting more and more furious at Joseph's dreams of ruling over them. God's plan was to have Joseph lifted up and to save his brothers at a later time. In order for that to happen, the other things had to have happened. Was it God's plan to have the caravan show up at that precise moment? If the caravan passed two hours earlier or later, what would the outcome have been?
This happens more times than we think. God is continually sending people in our direction. Some need to be led to the Lord, others are there to help us in our time of need. Look at the woman at the well. If she would have gone to the well earlier or later, she wouldn't have met Jesus. Then she wouldn't have told the villagers about it. Then . . . well, God knows what would happen. Same thing with the disciples, Paul, Timothy, me and you. Someone, somewhere, spent time with us teaching us about Jesus. Whether it be a parent, friend, neighbor, bowling buddy, someone was there.
The next time we get the urge to go buy cookies at the supermarket at 10:30 at night, or to stop by a friends house when a wild party is going on, we should ask "What does God want me to do here." Chances are he is setting you up for a divine encounter and wants you to plant a seed, water a plant, or get watered yourself.
God Bless
Daniel
While I was reading in Genesis (spec. 37:12-36) I came across something that intrigued me. At this point, Joseph had angered his brothers by telling them that he would rule over them. Now the idea of the second youngest being in charge was rarely thought of. In fact, society at that time, dictated that the oldest son got the bulk of the glory and the youngest ones got the bulk of the droppings. So when Joseph announced that he would rule over them, his brothers got a bit angered and annoyed with him.
An opportunity presented itself to rid the brothers of Joseph. They wanted to kill him, but Rueben, the eldest, said no that's not a bright idea, let's throw him in a hole instead (he wanted to rescue him later). After they gently tossed Joseph in the hole, Rueben left. (I don't want to speculate, but he may have went to make his favorite sandwich) Along came a caravan of Ishmaelites, and the brothers had another idea. Judah convinced the other brothers that it would be bad if they killed Joseph, but it would be ok to sell him into slavery. (My thoughts on that is Judah was hoping the Ishmaelites would kill Joseph, especially after Joseph would tell them of his dreams of ruling over them) The Ishmaelites bought him and away they went.
This is what got me thinking about divine encounters. If the Ishmaelites wouldn't have shown up, what would the brothers have done. Rueben was hoping to rescue Joseph and take him back to his father. The others were getting more and more furious at Joseph's dreams of ruling over them. God's plan was to have Joseph lifted up and to save his brothers at a later time. In order for that to happen, the other things had to have happened. Was it God's plan to have the caravan show up at that precise moment? If the caravan passed two hours earlier or later, what would the outcome have been?
This happens more times than we think. God is continually sending people in our direction. Some need to be led to the Lord, others are there to help us in our time of need. Look at the woman at the well. If she would have gone to the well earlier or later, she wouldn't have met Jesus. Then she wouldn't have told the villagers about it. Then . . . well, God knows what would happen. Same thing with the disciples, Paul, Timothy, me and you. Someone, somewhere, spent time with us teaching us about Jesus. Whether it be a parent, friend, neighbor, bowling buddy, someone was there.
The next time we get the urge to go buy cookies at the supermarket at 10:30 at night, or to stop by a friends house when a wild party is going on, we should ask "What does God want me to do here." Chances are he is setting you up for a divine encounter and wants you to plant a seed, water a plant, or get watered yourself.
God Bless
Daniel
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