One of my favorite Bible stories is the story of Joseph. Joseph was one of twelve brothers, all born to Jacob (Israel). From these brothers came the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. God had a plan from the beginning to raise up a nation of His people, a people set apart to be holy and dedicated to Him. The fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come from this line of people. But early on, attempts would be made to thwart this plan. One such attempt came in the life of Joseph. Jealousy and selfishness led his brothers to sell him to a foreign people where Joseph would eventually end up as a prisoner in Egypt. But God’s hand was upon Joseph and through the years of his captivity he found much favor with his superiors, being entrusted ultimately with governing the land of Egypt.  But the day would come when the family would be reunited. How would Joseph receive his brothers who had done such an evil thing to him so many years earlier?

The brothers were afraid that Joseph would avenge their wrongdoing, but instead he forgave them. Verse 20 sums it up: what they meant for evil against Joseph, God meant for good so that many would be saved. God had a plan and that plan was carried out through Joseph. If Joseph had not been in Egypt, the famine that engulfed the land would have killed the entire family. Joseph was the one who would make sure there was enough grain to sustain the land. It was God’s plan to spare this family. They were to become His chosen people. It was God’s plan to use Joseph. It was God’s plan to work for good the evil that Joseph had endured. For us today, God has a plan. Regardless of the evil that comes against us, God can work it together for good. Look to the Lord and ask Him to work all things together for good.

When I read this I was reminded of Romans 8:28, all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. No matter what your facing in this moment just know weather it be understood now or much later, there will come a time when you will be able to reflect back and know that God meant it for your good. There have been painful experiences in my past where I didn’t understand why God was allowing me to go through what I was going through and sometimes months even years past I had an “ah ha” moment where I understood the why, even if it was to be able to relate to the pain someone else was facing, to be in that moment to then lead someone to Christ, there are many many scenarios as to why and it’s different for each and every one of us. God got me through those times. We can all reflect back on our past and see where God brought us through it for the better. The key is to praise God even in the valleys and know with confidence He will get you through victoriously. Keep the faith! Hallelujah . . .

Have a beautiful day in The Lord!

Today’s Reading is Romans 8:25-28