Lots of things in life, I just don’t get. How God’s sovereignty is at work in our circumstances regardless of all contrary evidence. How is it that God can use evil to work good? How is it that God can use pain to bring about joy? How is it that God can give and take away and in all things deserve our praise? How does that work?
The Bible is full of examples of people who went from a story book existence to utter desolation. One that I’m always blown away by is the account of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was favored by his father, and brought up with every possible advantage. Scripture tells us that because of this his brothers hated him. As a result of that hatred, they betrayed him, selling him as a slave. He ended up far from his homeland, in Egypt.
To make matters worse, these brothers lied about their treachery to their father, and left him grieving the death of his favored son! Their wickedness was exceptional. Their hearts had become calloused by resentment. But Joseph refused to become bitter by the betrayal of his own family.
Years later, the irony and redemption of this story unfolded when Joseph, who had become the high commander of the entire land of Egypt, provided food for his brothers who, without his kindness, would have starved to death in the famine that ravaged the land! What an amazing flip! Joseph, the hated, betrayed, and rejected brother, became lord over his siblings and entire family. Talk about upside down and backwards.
When Joseph had the chance to exact his revenge for their treatment of him, he refused. His words are stunning, “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. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” What an amazing example of God’s kindness and grace.
It is clear that Joseph chose forgiveness because his ultimate trust and hope were in God, not in man. Over a thousand years before God inspired Paul to pen “…all things work together for good to them that love Him (God) and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Joseph lived out that truth in vibrant color, accepting each thing that happened to him as an opportunity for God to work good in his life. Because Joseph trusted God to take care of him, he could relinquish his own needs seeking instead to glorify God with his actions and attitudes. Joseph’s example is beautiful and compelling.
I am constantly challenged to believe that God means to use EVERYTHING in my life for His good. And I am constantly challenged to accept that His good is the greatest possible good, even when it includes pain. This is something I may never “get”. But oh, to have the grace to live the things I just don’t “get!”
joyinthemourning 