“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. —
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me. This is Old Testament Joseph, reminding his brothers of what they all knew. Their treatment of him had been abusive—their jealousy, their plotting, their berating of him as worthless, their kidnap and sale of him to passing slave traders. It was worse than bad—it was evil. “But God meant it for good.” They had intended to do him harm, and yet Joseph had never really been under their power. He was under the power of Almighty God, all the while, who was causing all things to “work together for good, to those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Joseph was not their victim. No child of God is ever really a victim.Genesis 50:20
God is always bigger, always greater, and His plans cannot be thwarted any other. God had a purpose for Joseph and that purpose must be fulfilled. And God is able to use even our enemies to fulfil His purpose in our lives.
Joseph had chosen early in his journey not to live in bitterness, not to get stuck in their abuse, trapped by animosity, even for a little while. And if you’ll start at that same game-changing point today, you’ll get to your Genesis 50:20 moment. Probably much sooner than you ever thought possible.
What relationship in your life needs Genesis 50:20?
What could be a first practical step to create an atmosphere of forgiveness and reconciliation?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that no matter what comes my way, it will turn out for my good.Scriptural Reading:
Genesis 50:15-21
#YearOfWisdom
#GW2019
