One thing I’ve noticed in reading the New Living Translation is that the Bible reads a lot like a cheesy mystery novel.

“Here comes that dreamer!” They exclaimed. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into a deep pit. We can tell our father that a wild animal has eaten him. Then we’ll see what becomes of all his dreams!”

Genesis 37:30 (NLT)

Then the Pharisees called a meeting and discussed plans for killing Jesus.

Matthew 12:14 (NLT)

There is a lot of nefarious plotting going on all throughout the Bible. Plotting by bad people and good ones, too. There are good plots and there are bad plots.

In Genesis, we read the story of the young(est – we don’t read how old Joseph was at the time) brother, Joseph. If you’re at all familiar with Genesis, you know that Joseph goes on to pretty much rule Egypt and his family is forced to submit to him in order to survive.

In Matthew, Jesus had the audacity to eat grain and heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath day. Gasp! This was, apparently, reason enough to plot His death.

In both cases, both Joseph and Jesus were destined for more. Their stories of salvation had been plotted long before their deaths had been planned. Joseph had dreamed of being in a raised position and his family being made to bow before him. Jesus had been prophesied of back in Isaiah.

Look at my Servant,
whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved,
and I am very please with him.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nation
He will not fight or shout;
he will not raise his voice in public.
He will not crush those who are weak,
or quench the smallest hope,
until he brings full justice with his final victory.
And his name will be the hope of all the world.

Matthew 12:18-21 (NLT) *see Isaiah 42:1-4

So the next time you feel like you’re stuck in the mystery novel being plotted against, remember this:

“For I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Even if the world is plotting against you, God has already plotted your victory.

Daily Bible reading: Genesis 36-37, Matthew 12:1-21