I was reading a bit of Joseph's last days in the last chapter of Genesis. A statement I had read before reached out to grab me. Let me review the events:
Jacob had died. Joseph was still a powerful man in Egypt. An elaborate burial was planned. It took place at a cave near Mamre, land Abraham had purchased many years before for a burial place. Joseph and his brothers were there. Following the burial of their father, the brothers became worried for their own safety. "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?". Still up to their old ways, they sent a message to Joseph they claimed was one their father had given them. It said: "I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your fathers.". Joseph cried when he got the message. I don't know if it was a serious one, but I know they made it appear that way. They even brought God into the picture. (You remember these were the same guys who threw him into a well to die!)
Here is the great truth involved in all this. In Joseph's answer he said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Joseph believed God worked in the bad events that came His way to bring about good. He prepared a people for famine. Untold lives were saved because of his planning. Had he not been following the way of God, it would not have happened. Could he see all this as he went through the trials that came his way? I doubt it.
Can we see it in our own trials when they come? I doubt it. Trials can even defeat us and not allow God to work His purpose for us through them. Job had a significant statement on the matter......"Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him.". Does God have Divine intentions in some struggle life is giving you today? Perhaps. You will only know if you stay with Him through the struggle.
