God’s Most Successful Setback

Devotion

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

— Philippians 2:9–11

Christmas marked the beginning of God’s most successful setback. He has always delighted to show his power through apparent defeat. He makes tactical retreats in order to win strategic victories.

In the Old Testament, Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, was promised glory and power in his dream (Genesis 37:5–11). But to achieve that victory he had to become a slave in Egypt. And, as if that were not enough, when his conditions improved because of his integrity, he was made worse than a slave: a prisoner.

But it was all planned. Planned by God for his good and the good of his family, and eventually for the good of the whole world! For there in prison he met Pharaoh’s butler, who eventually brought him to Pharaoh, who put him over Egypt. And finally, his dream came true. His brothers bowed before him, and he saved them from starvation. What an unlikely route to glory!

But that is God’s way — even for his Son. He emptied himself and took the form of a slave. Worse than a slave — a prisoner — and was executed. But like Joseph, he kept his integrity. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:9–10).

And this is God’s way for us too. We are promised glory — if we will suffer with him as it says in Romans 8:17. The way up is down. The way forward is backward. The way to success is through divinely appointed setbacks. They will always look and feel like failure.

But if Joseph and Jesus teach us anything this Christmas it is this: What Satan and sinful men meant for evil, “God meant it for good!” (Genesis 50:20).

You fearful saints fresh courage take
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and will break
In blessings on your head.

©Desiring God. God’s Most Successful Setback | Desiring God

Prayer

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

— Isaiah 9:7

Dear Lord Jesus, your righteousness is our surety and your sovereignty is our sanity. Hallelujah, many times over. How could we have possibly imagined that your humble Advent entrance through a stable would lead to the stable-ization of the universe, and that your cradle would eventually rock our peace-less world?

Truly, there’s only one government and one peace sufficient to meet the needs of our sinful hearts and broken world. You are already installed as “the ruler of kings on earth” (Rev. 1:5) and of everything else. King David’s throne has become a throne of grace, from which you are actively ruling the world with your truth and grace. Joy to the world, indeed!

Indeed, you are zealously working all things together after the counsel of your will. You—the Lamb of God, the Lord of Lords, and the Lamp of the New Jerusalem—are working in all things, for your glory and for our good. No one and nothing can derail, deter, or distract you from bringing to completion your good work of redemption and restoration.

You don’t promise to do all things easy, but you always doing all things well. Forgive me when I get impatient with your timing, don’t enjoy all your providences, and second-guess your involvement. I’ve lived long enough to know you do some of your “best work” when I am actually feeling the absence of your presence.

As the gospel of your kingdom continues its transforming work in my life, may it advance through my life. Give me more joy than I’ve ever had before in loving and serving people. Intensify my hope in the Day you will return and finish making all things new. So very Amen I pray, in your mighty and merciful name.