"What the enemy intends for destruction, God can transform into preparation." There are seasons in life when it seems as though God has forgotten His children. Doors close without explanation. Relationships are broken. Injustice appears to prevail, and years pass without understanding why God would allow such painful experiences. Yet throughout Scripture, God reveals a profound truth: **He often prepares His servants in hidden places before He promotes them to public places.** No biblical example illustrates this truth more clearly than the life of Joseph. Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob, and from an early age, God revealed through dreams that he would one day be elevated above his brothers (Genesis 37:5–11). Instead of rejoicing, his brothers became consumed with jealousy. They stripped him of his special coat, threw him into a pit, and sold him as a slave to traders traveling to Egypt (Genesis 37:23–28). To their father, they made it appear that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal (Genesis 37:31–35). From a human perspective, Joseph's dreams seemed destroyed. In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Although he had every reason to become bitter, Joseph remained faithful to God. The Lord blessed the work of his hands, and he eventually became overseer of Potiphar's household (Genesis 39:1–6). Then another injustice occurred. Potiphar's wife repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph, but he refused, saying: "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9) When Joseph fled from temptation, she falsely accused him of assault. Without a fair hearing, Joseph was thrown into prison (Genesis 39:7–20). Again, his circumstances seemed to move farther away from God's promises. Yet even in prison, **"the LORD was with Joseph"** (Genesis 39:21). God gave him favor with the prison keeper, and Joseph was entrusted with responsibility over the other prisoners (Genesis 39:22–23). Instead of wasting his suffering, Joseph continued serving faithfully. While imprisoned, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and chief baker, giving glory to God by declaring: "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Genesis 40:8) Exactly as Joseph said, the cupbearer was restored, and the baker was executed (Genesis 40:20–22). Yet the restored cupbearer forgot Joseph, leaving him in prison for two more years (Genesis 40:23; 41:1). Even then, God had not forgotten him. When Pharaoh dreamed troubling dreams that none of Egypt's wise men could interpret, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph (Genesis 41:9–13). Joseph was brought before Pharaoh, and once again he pointed away from himself: "It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:16) Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams as seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:25–32). He also proposed a wise plan to preserve food during the years of plenty. Recognizing that God's wisdom was upon Joseph, Pharaoh elevated him from prisoner to governor over all Egypt in a single day: "See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:41) Joseph's promotion was not accidental. The pit taught him humility. Slavery taught him service. Potiphar's house taught him leadership. Temptation taught him integrity. Prison taught him patience. The dreams taught him to depend on God. Every painful season became preparation for the position God had already planned. Years later, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking food during the famine. They stood before the brother they had betrayed, not recognizing him (Genesis 42). Joseph had the authority to punish them, imprison them, or even seek revenge. Instead, after revealing his identity, he spoke words that continue to comfort believers today: "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 many people." (Genesis 50:20) Joseph saw beyond the betrayal. He understood that although his brothers were responsible for their actions, God had been working sovereignly through every trial to position him so he could preserve many lives—including the very family that had wronged him. Joseph chose forgiveness because he saw God's hand behind the pain. His story reminds us that our greatest disappointments may become God's greatest appointments. As I reflect upon my own life, I see a similar lesson. Earlier in my life, I became involved with two ladies at separate periods in my life who, unbeknownst to me, practiced witchcraft and placed love spells upon me with the intention of ultimately destroying my life. At the time, I did not understand what was happening. I only knew that I was living through confusion, spiritual oppression, deep depression, emotional pain, unexplained fear, and circumstances that I could not explain. Looking back, I now see those years differently. While I do not believe God was the author of evil, I believe He remained sovereign throughout the entire ordeal. Just as He never abandoned Joseph in the pit, the prison, or the palace, I know for certain He never abandoned me. Rather than allowing bitterness to take root, I have chosen not to hate those ladies. Instead, I see that even those painful experiences have become part of my preparation. They awakened me to spiritual realities. They drove me deeper into the Scriptures. They increased my dependence upon God. They gave me compassion for people who feel trapped, confused, or spiritually oppressed, like I once was. Most importantly, they prepared me for a ministry of helping others find freedom through the truth of God's Word and embracing the reality of the spiritual realm. Jesus said: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Today, my desire is not to magnify darkness but to magnify the power of God to deliver, heal, restore, and redeem. Just as Joseph used his God-given wisdom to preserve lives during a famine, I pray that God will use my experiences to point others toward the freedom, hope, and victory found in Jesus Christ. Joseph's life teaches us that promotion is not merely receiving a higher position; it is becoming the kind of person who can faithfully carry greater responsibility. Before God entrusts His servants with influence, He often develops their character through hardship. The pit was not Joseph's destination. The prison was not Joseph's destiny. Both were classrooms where God prepared him for the palace. May we remember that when we cannot understand our circumstances, we can still trust the One who is writing our story. If we remain faithful, God can use even the darkest chapters of our lives to accomplish His purposes and bring blessing to others. For the God who prepared Joseph is the same God who continues to prepare His servants today. Pastor Kevin L. A. Ewing www.kevinlaewing.com www.kevinlaewing.blogspot.com ewinglakevin@icloud.com
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