“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

Today we should cover one more aspect about Joseph, the son of Jacob. Yesterday we went over how he had a difficult hand that “life” dealt to him, the pitfalls and the false accusations, and perhaps why he might have felt alone and ignored by his family and by God. We learned that the Lord remained with him and even blessed him throughout his enslavement and imprisonment. Yet, there is still more to discover about this remarkable man’s life that we can apply to ours today.

When his father Jacob passed away, Joseph’s older brothers assumed that he would finally take some form of revenge on them for the evil they done to him. They feared retaliation. So they lied to him, saying that their father Jacob had wanted him to forgive them for what they had done. Now this could be true, and likely is something that Jacob had said, but not as a statement they needed to make to Joseph.

Joseph’s reply is one that each and every one of us should take to heart. No matter what has happened in our life, whether we were abused, widowed, or become an addict or homeless, all of these circumstances can become something used for good. Joseph learned this. Here is what he said to his brothers:
“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 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 50:19-20

To be able to reflect on our life and those pitfalls that we got out of, those hurdles and stumbling blocks that we overcame, as Joseph did, is to see that God Almighty has a much higher purpose and plan that involves us if we are willing to recognize his hand in our lives during it, and then be willing to use that for a greater good.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28

Prayer: Thank you my Lord, for knowing my past, my present and my future. Thank you for what you have put on my path in life. Forgive me of my doubts, please help me to see that you have always been there, and to trust that you can use me and my testimony for your good and glory. I rest in knowledge of your everlasting goodness. I will praise you through the pitfalls and storms, and tell the story of your mighty hand in my life!
Amen

Food for thought: Are you able to see that God meant for good what man meant for evil? Can you forgive your enemies, those that hurt you, knowing that your testimony and purpose might be for a higher purpose?
Jesus’ crucifixion, though horrible and terrible to read about and envision, was for a greater purpose that no man could have conceived of then. Jesus also forgave those that abused him because he knew it was a part of God’s plan, and he also knew that he had tremendous sway with the Father in the forgiveness department.

Fun facts: Devil’s Sinkhole in Rocksprings, Texas, is a 50-foot wide by over 400 feet deep vertical cavernous hole. It is home to more than 3 million bats during the summer months. Wouldn’t want to fall into that pit!

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Web of Light