Who Are Your Providential Relationships?
“Footprints in the sand” by Andrew Huff is licensed under (CC BY-NC 2.0)
During our week at FUEL, we had the chance to examine five different ways that God uses to GROW our faith. It was on Wednesday that we took the time to hear the stories from Josiah Cain and Sean Finnegan of how Providential Relationships can impact the growth of our faith.
As we begin reading the epic story of Joseph in Genesis 37, we see multiple examples of the various relationships Joseph had and we begin to see how each played an important part in the development of his faith. Because of his relationship with God, Joseph was given some outrageous dreams for what his future would hold. Because of his relationships with his brothers, Joseph was sold off into slavery and taken to Egypt. Because of his relationship with Potiphar, Joseph had an unfortunate false accusation of misconduct and was sent off to prison.
When we think about Providential Relationships, it’s easy to have a narrow focus and just concern ourselves about the relationships that are easy and non-confrontational. But within these chapters we see how difficult relationships are often the ones that push us closer to God.
So if you’re in a difficult relationship right now (maybe it’s someone at school or work, or even a family member), take heart. God is near. He is guiding you every step of the way. Seek His wisdom to know what to say and how to act. Trust in God’s faithfulness to provide for your every need.
Many Blessings,
-bethany ligon
SeekGrowLove.com 
I really love these devotionals. They truly are great. And while I do like the devotionals, I almost think the people that are writing these are only touching on the good parts of the chapters. In Genesis 38:7, it literally says that God strikes a boy dead because he was wicked in his eyes. Now I understand I’m not one to question God, but it is hard to read that. I don’t understand how God can do that in one situation and be called merciful and loving.
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Dear Lizzy,
You are right about the nature of devotionals. They exist to facilitate devotion to God, not to offer a full scale commentary on difficulties. You may want to pick up a Genesis commentary so that you can go deeper into the text.
As for God judging people, that’s his job. We are not qualified for that job, so it is hard for us to understand how he decides, but we must let God be God. Ultimately, not just this person, but you and I and the rest of humanity will come before him in judgment.
When they asked Jesus why certain people suffered a tragedy, this is how he replied:
Let us fear and repent before our time runs out, remembering that God is gracious and forgiving and he does not want any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3.9).
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