God Brought You Over
One of my favorite gospel singers is the late great Mahalia Jackson. Every time I hear her rendition of “How I Got Over,” I am reminded that if it were not for the Lord, who pulled me through some things or carried me over others, I would not be able to look back and have a personal praise and testimony. I had to go through some things, but He brought me over. In him I found strength! I had to endure some things, but He brought me over! In him, I learned that he is my mountain mover and my lion tamer!
Young David in Genesis 37:24 found himself in a pit, but he did not stay in the pit. Before nightfall, a caravan of Ishmaelites and Midianite merchants just happened to come by, and Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver.
(The descendants of Ishmael, born of the handmaid Hagar and Abraham, just happened to come by to rescue Joseph. You remember Ishmael, a little child sent out to the desert to die. The Ishmaelites were not alone; there were also Midianites, descendants of Abraham and his wife Keturah. None of these groups had simple origins, but the people who were not listed on the social register rescued Joseph. We cannot determine who is worthy of life. People may have counted you out, but God himself brought you over the hills of adversity and set you in a place to be the rescuer.)
Once rescued from the pit, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt and ended up in the house of one of Pharaoh’s officials. The Bible said Potiphar was the captain of the guard, but Potiphar had a problem that led to a problem.
Potiphar’s wife had wandering eyes and wandering hands. In Genesis 39:7, Potiphar’s wife told Joseph to “come to bed with me.” In Genesis 39:8, Joseph said no. The boy from the pit is now a man in a pinch. (God brings you over one river, and an ocean opens.
But every problem builds a relationship with the Lord. There is history, and you know that God has not abandoned you. He keeps showing up and carrying you across those tough times.)
Here Joseph is again, and Potiphar’s wife pushed him so hard that he ran from her and left his cloak. Potiphar’s wife, with the “evidence” in her hand, accused him of trying to attack her.
Joseph did not run because he could not. Joseph ran because of what he would not do. (Think about it!) Just because you don’t hit back with insults or plot revenge by digging a ditch does not mean you are unable to handle business like you used to; it’s because you remember who brought you over from the path of destruction, over the bridge of troubled water, and you’re not going back!
The false evidence got Joseph tossed into prison! Bad things do happen to good people, but the Bible tells us in Galatians 6:7 (NIV), “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
False evidence got Joseph thrown in prison in Egypt, but God does not stop blessing in times of adversity. God opened a door, and Joseph walked right into the place that was prepared just for him. Joseph walked from the prison into a palace.
Through Joseph’s divinely given gifts, the land of Egypt had food when those around them were suffering. In fact, Joseph’s own family was spared from starvation because of Joseph.
We may see evil in the nation and unrest among our youth, but there is reason for believers to have hope. God is never without mercy, and His truth endureth forever. My brothers and sisters in Christ, do not forget that the Lord has delivered us out of many pits. We will not give up because we remember how he brought us over.
St. James AME Church is located at 360 Dorothy St. in Charleston and worship service is held on the first and third Sundays of each month at 11 a.m. You may also join us on Zoom at pastorv.com.
