Wednesday, January 14, 2015

GOD’S PURPOSE


Genesis 50:20  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.
  
            In the midst of pain and confusion, there’s great comfort in studying the life of Joseph. Think of all the things that happened to him. His brothers hated him because of their father’s discriminate love and his self-proclaimed prophetic dreams (Genesis 37:3, 5-9). When he journeyed on Jacob’s behalf to check on the status of his brothers and their sheep, they captured him, sold him into slavery to a band of Ishmaelites traveling to Egypt, then fabricated a fairytale story to convince their father that their younger brother was killed suddenly (Genesis 37:19-35).

In Egypt, while serving successfully in the chief captain’s house, Joseph was deceived by the Egyptian’s wife who lied to her husband about an action that he never did (Genesis 39:7-18). This cost Joseph his job and his freedom, as Potiphar sent him to jail. But while in prison, “The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness…” (39:20b). From this position, God’s grace would enable Joseph to interpret correctly the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker (Genesis 40), then two years later for Pharaoh (41:1-36) who rewarded Joseph’s wisdom by appointing him chief administrative officer over all Egypt (41:37-40). God positioned Joseph to help his family in a time of great famine (42 – 50).

            God’s intentions are always good. At times we may not understand the movements of his hands, but we can always trust the intentions of his heart. Look at Joseph’s life. Betrayed. Imprisoned. Rejected. Yet through it all, God had a purpose.

Written by H. Curtis McDaniel

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