Joseph was loved by his father, but hated by his brothers, yet the father sent him to check on the welfare of siblings who were jealous enough to sell him into slavery, thus fulfilling God’s plan to save them in the future. Jesus was loved by His Father but would be hated by His people, yet His Father sent Him to come and fulfill the messianic plan for the world. The blood-thirsty have always hated the upright, beloved children of God, but that will not stop God needing His children to be used as instruments of His mercy to the people that hate them.
The hatred of Joseph’s brothers was part of the Master plan. The greed of Judas was part of the Master plan. The betrayal of those close to us is not a new thing. Our belief and relief is that God can always overrule their wicked choices as part of His plan for us and turn things around for our good and His glory. As the Psalmist noted:
“For the wrath of man shall praise You; with a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself.” – Psalm 76:10.
This is why, as children who have always taken refuge securely under the shadow of the Almighty, it is not our job to hate them, after all, they are only being allowed to go as far as God allows. This is why, as unnatural as it is to our flesh, it is our job to ask for supernatural grace to pray for them and bless them as Christ requested. They are part of what we may call The Providential Plan, and they need to be kept in line with our prayers so that God’s purposes can be fulfilled in our lives and theirs.
Slander, pain, betrayal – All these may be the price we pay for our growth in faith; for aiding the merciful entry or return of our enemies into God’s fold, and for the praise and glory of God’s name. We rest in the knowledge that the counsel of the Lord will always stand and the victory we have in Christ will always win the day. We know Who we belong to. We understand His reach and power. We put all our trust in Him alone.
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 