“And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?” — Genesis 50:19
Joseph’s father had died and his brothers were afraid that maybe Joseph had only been biding his time until their father died and that nowhe would reap vengeance upon his brothers who had sold him into slavery. Joseph answers them with this question, “Am I in the place ofGod?” Joseph knew that vengeance belonged to God; it was up to God to settle the score. Had Joseph taken vengeance into his own hand hewould be taking God’s place.
I want to consider this question, “Am I in the place of God?” Do I ever try to take on something that only God can rightly handle? Maybesome of you have attempted to step into God’s place, not as a conscious thing but many times unintentionally. Let me suggest a couple ofways people often do this.
First, many Christians assume the place of God by leaning on their own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thineheart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Verse 7 says, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Man’swisdom is often flawed by evil influences and carnal motives. We need God’s wisdom to navigate life successfully. We should seek the Lordand His wisdom revealed to us in the Bible.
Another way we take on the role of God is by worrying about tomorrow. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shalltake thought for the things of itself.” (Matthew 6:34) Worry does not change anything except you. Someone once said, “Worry is faith in thenegative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster and belief in defeat — worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’sopportunities with yesterday’s troubles.” Cast your cares upon the Lord; He is equipped to handle them!
We can also take the place of God when we try to change other people. Listen to what Paul said in II Timothy 2:25: “In meekness instructingthose that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” We do influence others butonly God can truly change them.
Tragically, many want to assume God’s place in their eternal salvation. Going to heaven is not something you can work out for yourself, youmust come to Jesus Christ by faith to be saved.
Putting yourself in the place of God in any one of these areas will only lead to frustration and loss. Put God in His rightful place andexperience His joy.
