God Meant It for Good

Gen. 50:20

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

 

God has promised His children, those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, that all He does is for their good. The question comes over what is good. Man most often determines what is good in the here and now, but God sees the bigger picture. Joseph is a good example. The treatment that he received at the hand of His brothers was evil. After they sold him, he arrived in Egypt where he was prospering until he received evil treatment at the hand of Potiphar's wife. Finding himself in prison, he interpreted the dreams of the butler and the baker asking that they ask for his freedom. But he was completely forgotten and left in prison. He could have said many times that nothing was for his good. Where was God in his life as he was unjustly accused and left in prison.  But then one day, He was called out of prison to interpret Pharaoh's dream. It was here that man could see some good, but did that mean God wasn't doing good before? Man's perception is so at odds with God's. We can't always see the hand of God and understand His plan, but by faith we must trust His dealing with us.

 

He was elevated to a high rank in Egypt handling the years of famine. When his brothers came for food, he didn't seek revenge which would have been the normal response. But he took care of his family bringing all of them together. When his father died, the brothers feared that Joseph would seek revenge, but he told them not to fear. He knew the evil that they had done to him, was used by God for good. Oh to have faith like this! After all Joseph endured, he never wavered in his trust of God. He was securely in God's hand although many people would not see the good in his life for so many years. So often it is hard to endure rough treatment when it is unjust, but I Pet. says, for what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you leaving you an example to follow in His footsteps. How these verses characterize Joseph's life. What a lesson for me!

 

Father,

Keep me strong and safe in Your hand. Help me to see all life through Your eyes. Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth: unite my heart to fear Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen