When Joseph had become the prime minister in Egypt managing the food distribution during a time of famine, he said to his brothers who had sold him into slavery many years ago: “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.” (Genesis 50:20) Often we find it hard to say "God means it for good" especially when we are at the stage more like when Joseph was thrown in the bottom of a dry well (Gen 37:24), or when he was falsely accused of sexual assault (Gen 39:17), or when the cupbearer totally forgot about Joseph left in prison (Gen 40:23). Again and again just as things were starting to look hopeful, just as Joseph's righteousness and faithfulness was recognised by higher-ups, things took another turn for the worse. I can imagine (and identify with) Joseph thinking "What is God up to??" With what faith and patience Joseph had to keep trusting God on in those days when he couldn't see the bigger purpose God planned to achieve through his suffering. And yet, because God has already given us his very own son, the most costly thing possible for our good - we can trust in his future goodness to us too. So we can say even sooner than Joseph, "God means it for good"... even when we can't see God's bigger purpose right now. If you struggle to trust God in this way, or you have never received the costly gift of Jesus' death for your salvation why don't you pray with me this week that God will grow your faith?
Inspired by The Payout for Patience by John Piper.
Comments