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God Won’t Leave You There Book Review – Christian Lessons from Joseph’s Story by Anne Graham Lotz |
God Won't Leave You There: Joseph's Story by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright
A personal word from the authors . . .
"We believe you are going to be thrilled, moved, and greatly impacted by his example. Joseph shows us that God, regardless of what life throws at us, won't leave us in the pit of hopelessness but will faithfully bring us through to confident hope in His ultimate purpose for our lives."
The introduction of God Won't Leave You There begins in much the same way a chapter of our own lives might begin. All of our stories are filled with many chapters, some filled with fun, hope, and promise, while others are filled with sadness, heartbreak, or, in other cases, an unimaginable, unforeseen tragedy plunging us into a season we never expected and taking us down a road we would never choose to go.
Joseph's life is a reflection of Jesus' life. Joseph and Jesus were sent out by their fathers - Joseph to save his brothers and Jesus to save all who would believe in Him. Both set out on a long journey, both on a path to suffering. Joseph was elevated to a position second only to Pharaoh. Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to the right hand of His Father.
Our seasons of suffering make Joseph's story more personal and can lead us into a closer, deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus. Like Joseph and like Jesus, God may allow suffering for a season, but God won't leave us there.
Chapter 1 Highlights
In moments when a sudden change knocks us off our feet, we can remember that God is never surprised by what happened. He walks with us every step of the way.
"Where has God placed you? Has it become intolerable or unbearable? Could God be getting ready to move you? Have you wondered why God placed you in a dysfunctional family? Or in a war-torn country? All His placements have purpose. He is incredibly strategic, down to the smallest detail. He has promised 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' That was true for Joseph, and it's also true for you."
No matter where you are right now, remember that all of His placements have purpose, not just some of them, but all of them.
Have you ever regretted a decision? I'm sure you have. We can all think of things we would change if we could go back in time. I wish I could take back what I said. I wish I had not dated that person. Or maybe you wish you had done something you didn't do. I wish I had apologized to that person, but now it's too late. I wish I had told that person how much I loved him before he died. Those are just a few examples of many possibilities. But God can use our "if only" regrets for our good and for His glory.
"But what if your 'if only' has been the very thing God used in your life to draw you to Himself, to build rich character in you, and to use you for His glory?"
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| If Only Regret and God’s Purpose – Christian Encouragement Quote on Faith and Character Growth |
Can you think of a time when you thought a sin you committed would affect only you? I can, and I quickly learned that one sin, thought to be just a "little sin," didn't just affect me, but it negatively impacted others.
Did Joseph's brothers really think that what they did would not have an impact on others? Did Reuben think his decision to play along with his brothers wouldn't turn out badly for Joseph, himself, or his father?
"Reuben found the cistern empty and was so distraught that he tore his clothes. But his distress was limited because he and his brothers immediately devised a plan to dip Joseph's robe in goat's blood and take it to their father. They wanted to convince Jacob that Joseph had been killed by an animal. Upon hearing the brothers' story, Jacob was so heartbroken that he could not be consoled. Then Jacob tore his clothes. The brothers thought getting rid of Joseph would be the answer, but it only brought unbearable grief and pain to the whole family."
Chapter 2 Highlights
Like chapter 1, chapter 2 is filled with a lot of good meat to chew on, but the last part of the chapter stood out to me the most. This part was largely about how Joseph, even in the lowly place of prison, used what he learned while serving Potiphar to serve the prison warden while he was there.
Are you in a place you don't want to be? I think most of us have been in places we don't want to be, some for longer stretches than others. Remember the phrase, "Bloom where you are planted." Where does God have you planted right now? Even if you are planted in the middle of thorns, God can use you there.
The Bible says to "humble [ourselves] before the Lord, and He will lift [us] up."
So stay sniper-focused on the Lord. Don't settle for less than all He has for you by yielding to temptation. Don't squander this time of developing your abilities and your faith by giving in to your own desire for relief, pleasure, or a break from stress and suffering. Don't fail His test, or you will be unprepared for what comes next. Hold on to His promises. God sees the big picture and knows why He has you where you are and knows exactly when to open the prison door to a world of opportunity!
More About the Book
Don't waste your waiting.
In God Won't Leave You There, we are given good advice that will get us through days, months, and even years of waiting and suffering.
Have you been struggling against the cocoon, desperate to be free of its confinement? Like my mother and Joseph, we can learn and grow as much as we possibly can in our present situation, no matter how lowly or difficult it is. Every day has purpose! Be faithful right where you are planted. Serve well, look out for others, speak with kindness, work wholeheartedly, maintain joy, confess all bitterness, and trust God. He is molding you and making you into a beautiful masterpiece that He wants to use for His glory. Don't rush the process or settle for a premature escape. Yield to God's timetable, knowing it's perfect and you will be prepared for what comes next.
Book Overview
- Betrayal by his brothers
- Time in slavery and prison
- Rise to leadership in Egypt
- Reconciliation with his family
Key Themes
God is actively at work even in seasons of suffering.
We grow through adversity.
Trials can shape our character and strengthen our faith.
We can trust God's plan.
God's purposes can unfold over time. The full picture is not always visible.
Forgiveness and restoration are possible.
Joseph's example teaches us that there is power in forgiveness and that broken relationships can be healed.
God won't leave you there will be particularly helpful for you if you are:
- walking through a trial or a period of uncertainty.
- looking for biblical encouragement.
- interested in a deeper understanding of Joseph's story.
- desiring to heal a broken relationship.
- looking for a faith-based perspective on hardship and perseverance.
Dig Deeper
If you have already read God Won't Leave You There, you might be interested in an additional resource, the God Won't Leave You There Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Life of Joseph.
I hope you will grab a copy of God Won't Leave You There by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright because whatever you are facing or suffering today, you can rest assured that God won't leave you where you are.
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