It's Not Fair - The Glorious Table

COVID-19 has to be one of the strangest experiences I have ever lived through. In a country whose guiding principles are liberty, independence, and freedom, we are all under some state of restriction. Now, granted, most of us are sheltering in place voluntarily. We value the experts, the information, and guidance we have been given, as well as the health and well-being of our fellow human beings. We are staying put because it is the right, smart, and safe thing to do.

Still, every once in a while, it can feel like too much. In those moments, we lose our resolve, stomp our feet, and say, “That’s not fair!”

These guidelines are important to keep us safe and healthy. But it’s hard to get up the courage to go to the grocery store, only to find that the things you really need are gone. It’s disappointing to have planned your child’s birthday party, only to help them work through tears when it’s cancelled. It’s awful to see people lose their jobs, deplete their savings, or lose people they love to a disease. It’s just not fair.

Interestingly, the Bible is actually a place where lots of unexpected and “unfair” things happened. There are many options to consider, but there’s one story in particular that shocks me every time I read it. And every time I think, “That’s not fair!”

We don’t have the space to cover the whole story here, but if you get the chance, take a moment to read through Genesis 39-41. Poor Joseph. I know he was a pest of a little brother. But to get sold into slavery by your own brothers? That’s pretty brutal. That alone would have been “unfair” enough. But then, after finding favor with his owner, Potiphar, Joseph is falsely accused of assaulting Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. For years.

Now, “that’s not fair” if I’ve ever seen it.

It’s easy to focus on the gross injustices that took place during Joseph’s life. However, if we take a moment to also look at some of the outcome of those same experiences, we will notice the presence of God.

“The Lord was with Joseph” (Gen. 39:2 NIV).
“And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.” (Gen. 39:3 NIV).
“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (Gen. 39:21 NIV).
“The keeper of the prison did not look into anyting that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” (Gen. 39:23 NIV)

It is interesting to notice that these statements about the Lord being “with Joseph” are actually only mentioned during Joseph’s slavery and subsequent imprisonment. Later, once the whole plan shakes out, and Joseph is free and prospering, those statements disappear. Obviously, the Lord is still with Joseph once everything starts working out. But I think it is both kind and significant that God saw fit to ensure the writer of Genesis mentioned of his presence and providence specifically during the time when things were especially “not fair” to Joseph.

It is this very thing I am counting on, folks. As I type these words, I am praying in faith that we will see incredible evidence of how God was “with us” during the “not fair” months of this pandemic. I am hopeful that as we begin to pull up and out of this time, we will see where it looked like things were bleak, but behind the scenes, God was working out something more incredible than we could imagine. I am hoping that people haven’t lost their businesses or, if they have, they have also been led to new and maybe even better opportunities. I am praying that stressful family times of unexpected homeschooling have turned into precious memories and helped people appreciate one another. I am seeking stories of people who became sick but came to know God’s presence through that experience.

[Tweet “The God who made a point of revealing his presence during the “not fair” times in Joseph’s life is the same God who is with us during ours.”]

I am looking for him—because the God who made a point of revealing his presence during the “not fair” times in Joseph’s life is the same God who is with us during ours. Go right ahead and show off, Lord. We know you are capable and faithful, and we look forward to witnessing it all happen.

Anne Rulo is an author, speaker, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist and veteran coach’s wife. She and her husband Tim have two children and are passionate about reaching people for Christ and sharing information on coaching, marriage, family, and mental health. Read more from Anne at www.annerulo.com.