Changing Garments
“And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;” Genesis 37:23
I sure have enjoyed reading about Joseph the last couple of mornings – definitely one of my favorite Bible characters! Ever since I read the above verse yesterday, I’ve had a thought running through my mind. That thought is this:
When Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his coat of many colors, they had no idea that one day he would stand before them arrayed in “vestures of fine linen”.
“And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;” Genesis 41:42
Yes, the brothers meant to do evil to their younger brother – they hated him. But GOD!! God knew EXACTLY what was going on and allowed every bit of it to happen! God had a special plan for Joseph’s life and, in preparation for it, He knew that Joseph needed to be stripped of the one coat of pride in order to put on the royal coat of humility.
I am reminded of something I read the other morning in Streams in the Desert:
“No matter what the source of evil, if you are in God and surrounded by Him as by an atmosphere, all evil has to pass through Him before it comes to you. Therefore you can thank God for everything that comes, not for the sin of it, but for what God will bring out of it and through it. May God make our lives thanksgiving and perpetual praise, then He will make everything a blessing.”
This morning, is God wanting us to change garments in preparation for future service? We must first go through a time of purging. Although a painful process, let’s not cling to the old garments of pride but rather submit to what God is allowing in our lives. He loves us. He knows what is best. Aren’t you thankful we can fully trust Him?
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20
“Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5