Have you ever been so overwhelmed with everything that seems to be going wrong in your life that you wonder how it can possibly work out for good? Or maybe you are holding a grudge against someone who has wronged you and are contemplating how to get even with that person?
Joseph’s brothers had every reason to be afraid of what was going to happen now that Jacob, their father, had died (Genesis 50:14-15). After all, they had sold Joseph into slavery and let their father believe that he had been dead all these years. But God intervened and now Joseph had the upper hand.
God brought him to Egypt so that he could eventually become powerful enough to save his brothers’ clans from starving in Canaan. Instead of punishing them for their actions, his response must have surprised them. "Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God…."
Joseph recognized that God had been at work in his life all along, right from the start. Not only were the clans now safe in Egypt, but they were given the best pastures for their livestock.
As young men, Joseph’s jealous brothers meant to harm Joseph and teach him a lesson, but God worked it all for good so that all of them would not only survive but multiply.
How often do you see only the harm intended, and do not realize God has other plans for you that will eventually be good?
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that even when it seems like nothing is going right, you are still at work. Even when others mean to harm me, your plans are greater than that. Help me remember that. Amen.
Go Deeper — Have you gone through times in your life where you feel like everything is going wrong? Looking back, can you see "how God worked it out for good?" Take some time to reflect how God has put His handprint on your life, through the difficult times and the good.
Read Further — There are other Bible greats who felt Crushed in Spirit and yet God had plans for good things.
Photo Credit: Bailey Hall