Day 15

Gen 50:20 As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day. AMP

There are many interesting turns in the life of Joseph the son of Jacob. However the one that always amazes me is his realization that God is so willing to turn the evil intentions of man and Satan into good for His people.

Joseph had every reason to be bitter, unforgiving and angry at his brothers for their vicious treatment of him. Sent by Jacob to check on his brothers he walked into an environment of hate, jealousy and envy. His brothers knew Jacob favored Joseph and decided to rid themselves of him. They sold him into slavery to some passing Arab traders believing they would never see him again.

Fast forward twenty years. Through a surprising series of events and a healthy dose of Gods sovereignty, Joseph becomes the man in charge of all the food in Egypt and second in command under Pharaoh himself. Who should come to buy food for their starving family other than his own brothers. What an opportunity to get revenge! Joseph had lost his father, his family, his identity and his youth because of his envious, blood-thirsty brothers and by all rights could have had them killed for their actions. But Joseph took enough time to think about all that had happened and realized that God had turned everything in his favor. Having lost everything, he had later gained it all back and then some. He was reunited with his father, his younger brother Benjamin and promoted to an elite position of leadership and had saved his family and all Egypt from starvation in a famine - and all because he had stayed true to God and trusted that God was ultimately in control.

Revenge is so easy sometimes. But it never honors God. If bad things have happened in your life don't try to pay back evil with evil. Know that God watches the lives of those who stay true to Him and He has a way of working things out for their good in the long run. Let today be a day of forgiving those who did you wrong and remember the words of Paul:

Rom 8:27-28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. NAS

Blessings,
Pastor Andy