WHEN STUFF HAPPENS

Gen. 50:20 

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Joseph is one of my favorite Bible characters.  As you read about his life two things become clearly evident:  first, he was set apart by God for a special purpose; second, it seems like everything that could go wrong in his life did go wrong . . . maybe his middle name was Murphy!  Oh make no mistake about it, Joseph made some of his own problems; he talked too much and he didn’t always consider the feelings or anticipate the responses of others.  But even when Joseph did what was right he got into trouble! 

But through it all, Joseph never blamed God.  Somehow he continued to trust God and willingly serve him in spite of his circumstances.  At the end of the account of his adventure, in Gen. 50, we get a glimpse into Joseph's heart and we can begin to understand his faith.  He told his brothers – the same brothers who had sold him into slavery years before – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  God, of course, knew what would be required to save His people.  All Joseph knew was that God is wise and God is faithful.  But that bit of understanding was enough. 

In tough times, when everything seems to go wrong no matter what you do, that is what you need to know as well -- God is wise and God is faithful!

--- Pastor Keith Andrews