We are told that our background shapes our lives to such a degree that how we were raised will determine how we will live. Thankfully, that’s not true in every case.
Before Joseph, Jacob’s son, was thrown into a pit; — served as a slave in Potipher’s house; — languished in prison;— and stood before Pharaoh as Prime Minister of Egypt; he spent his formative years in a home marked by sin, sadness, strife and struggles. Yet, he became a great man of God and was used of the Lord in tremendous ways.
What Joseph faced may have dredged up bad memories for some. I encourage you to place your past in the hands of a sovereign Lord. Trust Him for the grace to live with the memories and for the strength to avoid making the same mistakes.
I’m thankful for the times in my life when God revealed Himself to me, especially my salvation at a young age.
I remember prayers, church services, godly people, etc, that left a mark on my life.
Thank God for those times when the Lord moved in spite of the darkness and sin, and revealed His presence and His providential protection.
In spite of what the world and the past has tried to do to us, God can take us and shape us and use us for His glory. That’s amazing grace. Praise His name!
Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their permission
