Roses from Ashes
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21 (NIV)
Can God take something terrible and turn it into something good? Joseph had every reason to be bitter and angry at God and towards his brothers for all that had happened to him; but he wasn’t. Instead, he saw God’s purposes in all the events of his life. God had saved Israel from starvation because of Joseph being taken into Egypt as a slave many years before.
God was in control of all that happened to Joseph and He is in control of all that happens to us (even when we don’t think so). Though we may not understand it all at the moment, we can trust in His power, love and goodness. By growing in our understanding of God and His character we will learn to rest in His plan for our lives.
- Often tragedies strike believers and we question why would God allow it to happen? How can the truth of Romans 8:28 help if something unexpected and difficult comes into your life?
- God is all-powerful. But we must also remember that He is good. To only believe in God’s sovereign power and not His love and goodness leads to fatalism. What is said about God’s character in the following passages? — Psalm 115:3; Psalm 119:68; 1 John 4:8
Question to ponder: How does having a deep trust in the power and goodness of God help when we face hard times in life?
Passages for further study: 1 Samuel 2:6-8; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
Developing Kingdom Leaders - Tom Yeakley 