Our churches are carriers of many stories of God and how God is creating new people to make up a community of grace. However, there are twists and turns in all our stories, just like in the life of Joseph in scripture. A favoured son gets sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. When it seems like things might get better for Joseph, something else happens and he lands in prison with no hope of release. Then God gives Joseph the ability to interpret dreams to bring about not only his release but also the saving of his family and many others from famine.
Scripture brings us to a moment in Genesis 50 when Joseph’s father, Jacob, has died, and the brothers of Joseph worry that he might punish them. What will Joseph do now as payback for all the wrong they had done to him?
Today, lets learn a valuable lesson from Joseph. As his brother’s jealous fate lay in his hands, does he choose payback or salvation? He decides to looks beyond their evil actions, to the ultimate purpose of God. God desires to save people. God desires to use people like Joseph and us, to bring about a new day and provide new life for his people. From this we see how God is at work in the twists and turns of our lives.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, my God of grace and forgiveness, father help me to look beyond my hurts and troubles to see that you are at work in my life day in and day out. God, like Joseph, teach me to never treat others negatively acting out of malice but instead out of your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.