You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. Anyone that’s familiar with the Bible has probably heard this. Joseph, the one who was hated by his older brothers and sold into slavery. The one who experienced false accusations, imprisonment, and estrangement from his father because of the hateful actions of other people. Years later, when Joseph is in a position of great power and his brothers come to him expressing fear of his retaliation, his response is simple. No bitterness. No resentment. God meant it for good.
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20 ESV
What had to be going on in Joseph’s soul for him to respond this way? Notice that he did not ignore or downplay his brothers’ actions. As I tend to do, Joseph didn’t say, “oh it’s no big deal.” No, he spoke truth out of a change of focus that took place in his heart. “Yes, your actions were malicious… but God had greater plans!” Joseph did not forget or ignore what his brothers had done to him, but he came to realize how God worked through it all to bring about His purposes. He allowed his focus on the purposes and plans of God to be greater than the focus on the atrocities committed against him. In life people WILL hurt you. The choice between bondage to bitterness or to the freedom of forgiveness is yours.
Questions for reflection:
- Are you holding on to an offense?
- What would help you let go of the offense and seek God’s healing?
- What is the greater thing God wants to do in your life and in the lives of those around you?
Trust God. Seek Him. Be affirmed in Christ.
Affirmed in Christ 