“They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. Theysaid to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one ofthe pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”
Genesis 37:18-21
Joseph was in serious trouble. His brothers plan seemed full-proof so what chance did he have? But we know what happened. Joseph was sold into slavery instead of being killed. What happened there exactly? First of all we know that the devil was behind the plan. He comes only to seek, kill and destroy so I believe in was him pulling the strings. He wanted to take Joseph out. Now that’s out of the way, let answer the real question.
Why wasn’t Joseph killed?
Did the devil change his mind and think slavery was better than death? Because if he wanted to stop Joseph then death would have been better.
But I believe something else happened, Someone interfered in his plans – God! I believe the enemy was trying with all his power to kill Joseph. He hadn’t taken his foot off the pedal. In fact I think he pushed the pedal down harder to make sure.
But the truth was undeniable in that situation, God’s plans for Joseph’s life were stronger than the devil’s plans for Joseph. Nothing could change that. And you need to always remember that. Even though the enemy has plans for you, remember that God’s plans for your life are stronger and more powerful than the enemy’s plans for you. His plans will not succeed over you. God will derail them every time.
I think of Paul as well. There were 40 high powered officials that had conspired against him. It seemed like Paul was done for but once again God stepped in and derailed the enemy’s plan to destroy Paul. (Read the story in Acts 23:12-23)
Throughout scripture we see this truth played out again and again. So as I come to the end of this post I want to encourage you and remind you that God’s plans for your life are so much stronger than the enemy’s plans for you. The enemy’s plans will be thwarted and no weapon forged against you will prosper.
Today I want to talk about the plans God has for you. I know you have been told numerous times to pursue what God has for you but today I want to remind you and encourage you of God’s amazing plans for your life. They are pretty awesome and like nothing you could have ever imagine.
In Genesis 15:5, 6 God took Abraham outside and showed him the amazing plans he had for him.
In case you forgot, God is not trying to hide his plans for you from you. He wants you to be fully assured that his plans for your life are real, very real. You are not on this earth to just survive or to get by.
In this life we go through difficult things and at times those things can make us believe we have nothing to get excited about. We go through life thinking we are just a statistic. But it’s not true.
And the amazing thing about God’s plans for us is that it’s a gift.
God hasn’t given you purpose because you are more intelligent than others, or because you went to the right school, you got a degree, or you grew up in the right family etc
He has given you a purpose because of his grace and mercy.
It’s by faith and only faith that you can walk in the amazing purposes he has for you.
Romans 4:16-21 says,
Therefore, [inheriting] the promise is the outcome of faith and depends [entirely] on faith, in order that itmight be given as an act of grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed toall his descendants—not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who sharethe faith of Abraham, who is [thus] the father of us all.
If you are going to walk in all the amazing things God has for you then you will have to do it by faith and faith alone. So trust God today to guide your steps.
“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
Exodus 4:10 NLT
The Lord was going to deliver His people from Pharaoh and Moses was the person He would use to bring about the deliverance. But Moses was not on board with that. Instead of jumping all in he protested and protested. The Lord keep assuring him with His words and with signs but Moses kept protesting.
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.””
Exodus 4: 13 NLT
Moses doubted he could do what God was calling him to do. Even with God encouraging him, Moses stayed put.
Maybe it was years and years of telling himself he was not good enough, maybe it was because of how he spoke but whatever it was nearly derailed him from walking in God’s amazing plans.
I have been working on a project and it has been challenging getting it done. I am nearly done but as I was reviewing the progress I had made I heard a voice. This voice sounded like me and kept telling me the work I had done to this point was not good enough. It was so critical, so negative, so hopeless. But in my quiet time the Lord revealed what was really going on. That voice wasn’t my voice but the enemy’s.
The enemy doesn’t want us walking in and accomplishing God’s purposes. He wants us to doubt and second guess everything we do until we stop.
Moses nearly stopped.
The Lord is with you every step of the way. Don’t doubt God’s calling on your life. Trust Him as you take that step.
Stop listening to the enemy’s voice. It can be so subtle, invading our minds like a thief in the night.
The Lord has amazing things in store for you. Stop putting off that thing God is telling you to do no matter how scary it is. This is the time to act. Bring those negative thoughts you Him. Don’t hold on to them not matter how convincing they seem.
The Lord wants to use you so start doing what He wants you to do.
“Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!”
2 Samuel 17:14 NLT
Ahitophel’s advice could have ended David’s life if it was followed but God stepped in and delivered him by frustrating Ahitophel’s counsel and plan.
The enemy is always planning against you but his plans will come to nothing. They will not come to fruition because the Lord is protecting you. Like He did for David the Lord is stepping in and frustrating the enemy’s plans.
Remember Haman who had plans to eliminate the Jewish people. (Read the book of Esther)
It seemed like his plans were rock solid but God stepped in again and frustrated them.
“Then Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination.” “Then impale Haman on it!” the king ordered. So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.”
Esther 7:9-10 NLT
The truth is this: No weapon formed against you will prosper.
Don’t be afraid of the plans the enemy has against you and the weapons he creates to take you out because the Lord will guard you and make sure you are safe. The only plans that are coming to reality are the ones the Lord has made.
I pray and declare that all His good plans over your life come to pass. There is no plan that the enemy has created that is strong enough to succeed over you.
So don’t lose heart. The Lord will be your Shield wherever you go!
kingspeech 