Sovereign in Every Pit

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good.” —Genesis 50:20

Genesis tells us that Joseph was thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers (37:24). As he sat in the dark, what comfort could he possibly hold on to? He could cling to the sovereignty of God, knowing his accusers were ultimately not in control of his life. God was in control, and there’s no pit outside God’s jurisdiction.

Later Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison (39:19–20). Where did Joseph find his rest? In every circumstance, no matter how seemingly desperate, God is in control.

God’s sovereign hand is often easier to trace in hindsight. Through a lifetime of highs and lows, at the end of Joseph’s story he declared what had always been true: God was at the helm. Joseph could let go of judgment, anger, bitterness, wrath, doubt, and revenge.

Each amounted to nothing in light of God’s ultimate control. In the pit and in prison, Joseph didn’t lean against cold, stone walls. He leaned against God’s sovereignty. Knowing that God is on the throne and cannot be deposed transforms every hard place.