“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Genesis 45:5 ESV
As we endure seasons of hardship, various platitudes are frequently offered in an attempt to comfort us. And, quite often, they seem like nothing more than that. They seem like nothing more than cliche statements, from which we derive no comfort.
In our moment of struggle, we’re simply unable to receive them. More than that, we’re unwilling to receive the comfort they provide. As we’re in a period of emotional and spiritual struggle, they provide little hope.
Yet, even though we derive no comfort from them, and even though they seem like nothing more than empty words, they are, in fact, true. They are accurate. And, if received, they offer us great hope.
We see this as we look at the above passage. These words were spoken by Joseph after many years of enslavement and imprisonment. And they were directed to the very men who were responsible for his suffering.
God had since delivered Joseph from his misery, making him the ruler of Egypt. And as his brothers had come, seeking provision in a time of famine, he understood why God had allowed it. God had used the wicked deed of his brothers, and even the false accusation of his master’s wife, that he might save his family along with the nation of Egypt.
Throughout his suffering, Joseph had no idea why these things were happening. And although Joseph was eventually enabled to see the reason for his suffering, this isn’t always the case. It’s not even usually the case.
However, even if we don’t understand why God has allowed our suffering, and even if we never understand this, the fact remains that God is able to work through it. He’s able to work through it to provide his blessing. He’s able to work through it for our blessing or, perhaps, for the blessing of others.
God may not use our suffering like that of Joseph. He may not use it that our family, along with thousands of others, might be saved. But there are many subtle ways in which the Lord can use it.
As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:4, God comforts us in our affliction that we may be able to comfort others. We, then, are able to share with others the comfort that we have received from God. We’re able to bless others with a comfort we’ve received only because of an affliction suffered.
We, then, should never look at the assurances of Scripture as mere platitudes. And we should never look at them as cliche, empty words. No matter how we might feel in the moment, his promise is certain.
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