Benjamin Franklin in his address at the Continental Congress expressed his belief that God is active in the affairs of men and that humans who build and administer government must look to him. He said, "I have lived Sir a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of the truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men."

As storm clouds continue to rise in our politically unstable world, many feel like the sky is falling. They might believe in God, but they aren't sure how much he acts to intervene in the affairs of nations. We can find comfort in the story of how God intervened in Egypt in the time of Abraham's descendants.

Sold Into Slavery… For the Sake of the World?

Jacob's favorite son, Joseph, was mistreated by his own brothers, and it led to quite a strange journey for him. Sold to merchants, he was a slave in Egypt. Though he acted appropriately, he was accused falsely, thrown into prison, and forgotten by those he helped. However, when the Pharaoh needed a manager, Joseph was ready.

And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. -- Genesis 45:7 ESV

Joseph spoke these words to his brothers who had sold him into slavery which had caused a lot of pain in his life. However, he became the ruler of Egypt under Pharaoh dispensing the food to those affected by famine. He recognized that God's grace had been ruling even in the sinful and selfish acts of the brothers.

We must not define the grace of God in terms of ease or comfort. God's grace is so big that it rules in every circumstance to bring about God's loving purposes, without violating the dignity of human choice. Joseph knew that it wasn't all about him. God would one day have a nation that would display his order in the world. Joseph was a link in the chain, a sub-story in the big story. Ultimately that nation would be made up of those submitting to the kingdom of God as expressed in Jesus, the king.

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God’s Grace Even Through Israel’s Slavery

God's way includes placing his image bearers right in the middle of the world's crises to rule for the benefit of many people -- and they rule by serving. Joseph is the prime example. He was strategic to God's plan to bless not only those starving in famine but also those who would live centuries later. If Joseph had not been there, Jacob's family would have died, and there would have been no Israel, no kingdom, no Messiah, no salvation.

Grace was working from the big picture of global blessing. What looked like injustice and catastrophe at the time was woven together by grace to bring the Savior to the world.

God even manifested his grace through Israel's slavery. After Joseph brought his family to live in Egypt to survive the famine, they lived there approximately 400 years. But the subsequent government leaders were harsh in their treatment and regarded them as slaves. This abuse prepared the people for a deliverer. Comfortable people don't cry for a Savior.

Because of their harsh treatment, but mostly because God had made a promise to Abraham, God showed his mighty strength to take his people out of Egypt. The whole known world got to see the mighty hand of God displayed in behalf of his people.

God’s Grace is Still at Working Today

God’s grace is never uninvolved in time or history. He moves things along toward his goal of displaying his unimaginable goodness.

He is involved in our lives today. What might look like total disaster, is God's opportunity to reveal his loving control of all things. It is not time to run for the hills in fear. It is time to lift our heads. God has enough grace to reveal his sovereign grace in our day.

We don't faint with fear. We march with confidence. God has a purpose, and he will accomplish it -- and we get to participate. Since He is active, we are.