Seeing Things Aright

Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

Genesis 50:19-20

JOSEPH’S BROTHERS RESENTED him because their father treated him specially. So when the opportunity presented itself, Joseph’s brothers got rid of him—they sold him into slavery. It’s hard for us to grasp, but they placed little value on human life, even the life of their own brother.

Years later, when the brothers had to go to Joseph for food during a great famine, they were terrified that he would want revenge. They remembered how badly they had treated him and how they had lied to their father. But despite the painful journey it took to get to that point, Joseph could see God’s hand in all that had happened, and he wasn’t bitter or vengeful.

Our perspective is often skewed by what we consider most important to us at the moment. If Joseph had viewed revenge against his brothers as most important, he would have reacted differently, and he likely would have missed the big picture of what God was doing through him. Like Joseph, we need to always remember the sovereignty of God. He is in control, and He is good. That’s the right perspective to have.

When facing a troubling situation, try to look at the circumstances with eyes of faith—maybe a redemptive outcome will emerge from a seemingly bad situation. God is able to bring good out of bad in ways we never could have imagined.

BOTTOM LINE

God is up to good, we can be sure of that. Trust Him to work things out in the best possible way, in His perfect timing.

Moment of Strength: Genesis 50:15-21