The story of Joseph is one I love to revisit over and over. It speaks loudly of how God builds character within us, despite the brokenness that we’ve come from, the circumstances we’ve faced, and whether or not the injustice that’s been done to us has been rectified. Joseph allowed God to work through his pain, breaking through the ashes of loneliness, rejection and oppression. In trusting God with his life, humility was birthed out of those ashes. A life that truly reflects Romans 8:28, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
Joseph’s brothers feared him once their father Jacob died. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him.” So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you – for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
But 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. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:15-21)
The mercy that Joseph showed to his brothers, could only have come from knowing the Lord, and humbling himself under the authority and governance that if God allowed it to happen, He could use it for his future.
We all have been wronged in some way, but as we seek God – trusting Him completely with our lives - we allow God to move in us, changing us to truly see past the natural realm. Every single thing that has been intended to harm us, God has the final say. Whether or not we see it fully this side of Heaven, it is a promise that we can stand on. “God causes everything [not some things but everything ] to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
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