To everything...Turn, Turn, Turn

I believe that we all go through seasons in life. Perhaps this particularly hard season I am currently in is coming to a close.

...or perhaps not.

God knows.

Today I was reading about Joseph and his life. He also had very clear seasons of prosperity and seasons of trouble. God had a specific plan for him. 

If you don't remember Joseph's story, here is a quick recap: His brothers hated him and sold him to the Ishmalites. Then Pharaoh purchased him, but amidst this, the Lord was with Joseph and he was very prosperous. Pharaoh saw his prosperity and made him the overseer of his house. One day, one of Pharaohs wives came and tempted Joseph. Joseph, being a good man, denied her. But she went and told Pharaoh a lie and said that Joseph tried to have her. So Joseph was thrown into prison. Some time after, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and because of this Joseph was again made leader over Pharaoh's house and all of Egypt. 

When I read these chapters about Joseph, I think of my life. I am going through a particularly hard season right now. My prayer is that this season is coming to a close. 

In Ecclesiastes 3:1, God says, 

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven". 

In Joseph's own life, he had years of trouble. He was sold by his own brothers and made a lier by Pharaoh's wife and thrown into prison. 

And he had years of prosperity...He was favored by his father Jacob and when with Pharaoh, he was made the leader over the house and Egypt.

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams to mean that Egypt would have 7 years of prosperity and 7 years of famine. Two drastically opposite seasons.

Why do you think God allows us seasons of trouble? 

I think that God has a message of compassion and unity. God wants us to turn to Him, because when everything around us is failing, He is the only one who is not. 

Jesus says, "When I was hungry, You gave me food, I was thirsty, 

You gave me drink, I was a stranger, and You took me in"

                                                           Matthew 25:35

To me, the part of Joseph's story that stands out above everything is that the Lord was with Joseph. 

"The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man"

                                                                                                         Genesis 39:2

"And he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy"

                                                                                                                    Genesis 39:20-21

The Lord was with Joseph during the good and bad. He is always with us. He wants us to turn to Him during seasons of pain and seasons of joy. 

He shows mercy and compassion. 

He shows grace. 

God is Love.