Hope Today 086 - A Journey With Joseph: Trust in the Sovereignty of God

A program of word and music featuring an eclectic mix of Christian music and teaching by Pastor Tom Cullen and Brian Evans.  Mac Wigfield starts the program with southern gospel classics.

Produced in Uxbridge Ontario, Canada.

Christian Artists featured are:

Social Security Boys

Harris Family

Cassidy Brothers

Rain for Roots with Sandra McCracken

Jon Bauer

Bev Foster

Shane and Shane

Keith & Kristyn Getty

Matt Nickel with Emily Nickel

Jill Phillips

Thank you for listening to HOPE TODAY. This is a program developed at Light & Life Programming, a registered charity. We are listener supported. If you would like to help with this ministry, donations can be made through our website at www.lightnlife.ca.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:02

This is Hope Today, a program of faith and encouragement. Thank you so much for joining us for this next hour of music and teaching. This will be a wonderful time of blessing for us all. If we all had a chance to tell of our favorite Bible character, we would share the Bible story that we most enjoy to hear again and again. There would be quite a variety of characters and reasons from us all. In this program and over the next few programs, Pastor Tom Cullen will be leading us on a journey with Joseph, Jacob's son, to whom he gave a multicolored coat. Specifically today, we will hear of Joseph's learning of God's sovereignty. Pastor Tom will be along in a moment. But first, Matt Winkfield is here to lead us to a few moments of wonderful gospel music. Thank you, Matt.

Mac 1:00

And I welcome you to Hope Today. A little bit of gospel music to get us started. We're going to be talking today about a God who is sovereign and just what that means. Let's begin with a group called the Social Security Boys. That's their name. Without the Lord.

SPEAKER_08 1:17

Without the Lord, there be no love. There be no earth no heaven above. No stars in the skies. No birds in the air. No one knows. No one took care. He made the sun to light the stage. Because of him, all of life seems to say our praises should bring. While sweet and they luxurious we see each day to see these wondrous things, say plainly shell show the blessings she brings. Can we kindness in the care? Nature around should make us aware. How could there be a river flow? Without the Lord, not a flower could grow. Nature around should make us so well. How could there be a river flow? Without the Lord, not a flower would grow. A precious race. While sweet has listened to us, we see we sing our precious race. Whilst we have listened to us, we see.

Mac 3:47

For you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. And we, you and I, were created to worship the Lord. Here's the Harris family.

SPEAKER_09 4:00

I was created to worship the Lord, to give him the praise he deserved. Made in the image of God, I'm sure. I was created to worship the Lord. I offer my highest praise to his theory. All of creation stays silent when I sleep. To give him the praise he deserves.

Mac 6:32

So then, we were created to worship. And God has created us to give us hope. This is what Paul prayed for the Ephesians. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, in order that you may have the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Our hope is in the Lord. Here are the tallies.

SPEAKER_04 6:56

My hope is in the Lord, I'm trusting in his word. The winds may try to shake me, but his hand holds me secure. Though hell may rise against me, it cannot make me fall. I will not be defeated, for my home is in the law.

SPEAKER_06 7:18

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. In him I find this perfect peace. It gives me joy and sweet relief. Just to know he's standing by my side.

SPEAKER_04 7:42

The winds may try to shake me, but his hand holds me secure. I will not be defeated, for my hope is in the law. When I am weep, my Lord is strong. He turns defeat into a song. And gives the strength my heart's been longing for. When thunder rolls, there's no alarm. He's a shelter in the raging storm. My hope is in the Lord. I'm trusting in his work. Wills may try to shake me, but his hand holds me secure. No hell may rise against me. Can I make it fall?

SPEAKER_09 8:35

I will not be defeated for my home. Will not be defeated. Will not be defeated for my home. I space.

Tom 10:48

Whether you've read the book or seen the musical about his Technicolor dream coat, you have to agree that it is one remarkable life filled with intrigue, drama, sorrow, and victory. But above all, it is a life that recognized the sovereignty of God, the rule of God, in all situations. Stay with us as we are encouraged to trust in the sovereignty of God. Rain for Roots and Sandra McCracken sing all things bright and beautiful.

SPEAKER_09 11:24

All creatures made and small. All things wise and wonderful.

SPEAKER_07 13:39

All things wise and wonderful.

Tom 14:06

This way he could find out who the characters were and who gets knocked off. Then he would read the last chapter to find out who did the deed. That way, said my professor, I can sit back and read the rest of the mystery, keeping my eye on the killer, and forget all the rest of the superfluous characters. You're in the dark years of his life. And the focus of his testimony, you're in the bright years of his light. It doesn't matter what circumstances come your way. This is what Joseph says in chapter 45 of the book of Genesis. As he's reviewing his life with his brothers, he says, I am Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. But God in his sovereignty had a great plan, and it was he who sent me here so that I could save your lives. So then it was not you who sent me here, but God, he says in verse 8. A little further on, he'll put it like this as he speaks to his brothers again. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done. The saving of many lives. He was saying, God is sovereign, he's in control. Here's John Bower with our God.

SPEAKER_09 15:47

You tell the story of a life. You're the center of our hearts. And we admit we need you now. Cause life the wind with nothing without your power. With nothing without your power, I've got to render you.

Tom 19:33

He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and suffered terribly. But through it all, he said that he believed that God was in control, that his will was being done. He said to his brothers, intended for me. Are you recognizing his sovereignty in your career life and in your private life? I know the plan.

SPEAKER_09 22:00

I will cancel you, I will travel you. I know the plans I have created you for to know you and to trust you live my life by the words you speak for to hear you and to follow you, Lord. I will be. When you want to just be honest, what you're able to preach I know the plans I have created you I will go with you to your days. I will go with you for your days all through your life and death. I will give you rest. Give you rest. I know the plans I have created you. Oh to know you and to trust you live my life by the words you speak Oh to hear you and to follow you, Lord. I will be I know the plans I have for you. I know the plans I have for you. I want to prosper you never eventually. I have free too.

SPEAKER_01 25:02

At one time, there was some credit attributed to a couple of writers in the early 20th century. This song has become one of the most widely known and loved spirituals, being sung by young and old everywhere. Like other songs arising out of an oral tradition, it has many variations in tune and allows for the creation of other versions of text. The theme is that the Lord reigns and he is sovereign in the whole world, including in nature and human creatures. It is a hymn of assurance, confessing God's rule and providence in the universe. This spiritual was first published in 1927 and was recorded by many artists over the years. The recording by English singer Lori London and the Jeff Love Orchestra reached number 12 on the UK singles chart in 1957. It was the first and remains one of the only gospel songs to hit number one on a US pop singles chart. The assurance that regardless of our circumstances, our eternal destiny is in the hands of our sovereign God gives us a wonderful and sure hope. Here is the Isli brother singing, He's got the whole world in his hands.

SPEAKER_05 26:23

He's got the whole world. In his hands, he's got the whole world.

Tom 28:19

He was in control. It was a truth he held on to throughout his life and was reinforced through life's experiences. He said to his brothers, You sold me into Egypt and intended to harm me. But God intended it for good. He's saying that God is sovereign in the midst of terrible evil. We often look at the world and feel that it's winning out of control. One dictator is put down only to see another rise. Atomic weapons and missiles seem to be increasing at an alarming rate. And we think that the situation is too large for God to redeem, the evil too strong for God to overcome. But don't you believe it? The Word of God says in Isaiah 40 God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught, and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and the whirlwind sweeps them away like a calf. My friends, do not despair. Our God is sovereign. He is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth, he does not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He did not forget Joseph in the midst of the evil done to him by his brothers. And he has not forgotten you. He is faithful forever, perfect in love. So you can trust him. Shane and Shane single.

SPEAKER_09 31:09

Your plans are still prosperous. You have not forgotten. Perfect in love. You are sovereign all the children. And you are wisdom of imagination. Reaching down in endless grave. You're the lifter out of the beachionate and kind. Your kids in the fire. You're faithful forever. Perfect dinner.

SPEAKER_07 32:55

You are sovereign all.

Tom 33:17

In chapter 37, we read of how Jacob, Joseph's father, begins to mourn because he's been told that his beloved son has been killed. Jacob is heartbroken and will not be consoled. But then the text says, Meanwhile, in the midst of the father's sorrow, God in his sovereignty is working for the salvation of this man's family. Meanwhile, we read the Midianites, the ones who murdered Joseph from his brothers, had sold him in Egypt to Oliver, one of Pharaoh's officials, and became a link in the chain that led to Joseph becoming Prime Minister of Egypt and Savior to his people in the middle of a great famine. It is so easy to forget that God is in control, that he is sovereign, and that he still cares for you. But it's not true. And his concern for you and his God in his great empower is able to use your present suffering for a great effect and great purposes. I told you in previous programs of how for two years I was very ill. Because of it, I had to give up hasty in a church that I loved. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, and I felt terrible. But in the midst of it, unbeknownst to me, I started to attend the same church as the producer of this program. He tapped me on the shoulder one Sunday and asked me to be part of this ministry, and it has been a blessing that I never could have anticipated. God in his sovereignty is at work even in the midst of your suffering. And we are able to say, It is well with my soul. Here are Keith and Kristen Getty.

SPEAKER_09 35:11

When peace like a river attended my way when sun rose like sea below whatever my life thou hast taught me to say it is well it is well with my soul Though Satan should buff it, though trials should come, let this bless assurance control that Christ has regarded my helpless day and has shed his own life for my soul. It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul. My sin, not in part, but the whole is next to the cross, and I pray praise the Lord, praise the mass.

Tom 39:07

Joseph was a man who recognized that God was sovereign and in control of this world. And yet, he didn't blame God for his difficulties or demand that he act in a certain way. Nor did he live life resignedly, saying, Oh well, God is in control. No, he lived a wonderfully faithful life that trusted God as the king. Here's Matt and Emily Nickel.

SPEAKER_09 39:34

A throne room that can't be described, with beauty that can't be defied. Compared to the glory and slow at the sound of your name, everyone die onto the knee naturally to worship the king thunderstorm with glory to run to we need of your presentation. Bring us back to our food.

Tom 43:54

Do you have that assurance or do you know that no matter what happens to you in life, God is your king? Jesus, the sovereign one who now sits at the right hand of the king and says to you Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. Our Lord invites you to come to him, to make him sovereign of your life, and to receive his rest, the rest of forgiveness for a troubled conscience, the rest of security in the midst of a world gone mad, the rest of peace for a broken heart. If you've heard God calling you today, make him sovereign of your life and say to him, along with Jill Phillips, have thine own way.

SPEAKER_09 45:13

Hold me and make me after thy will while I am waiting, yielded and still, have thine own way, have thine own way, search me and try me, master today, whiter than snow lawn. Wash me just now as in my presence, hungry at last.

SPEAKER_01 47:08

When we understand that God sees the beginning and the end all at the same time, we do not need to fear, but just trust him to be faithful as he always has been. We can count on him. Thank you for this reminder, Pastor Tom. You may want to hear this program or a previous one again, or you may want to share a program with a friend. You can do all that by visiting www.lightandlife.ca. Through the website, you can also send Pastor Tom and our team a note. We would love to hear your story. Hope today is produced at Straight Path Studio. We look forward to being with you and your friends next time for another program of Hope. Until then, keep looking ahead. Jesus is coming again.