God Meant It for Good

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Gen 50:19-20

Joseph was a man who could have allowed his life to be poisoned with unforgiveness, bitterness, and unbelief. His life had been rocked by the betrayal by his own brothers who sold him into slavery; wrongly accused by a wicked woman being thrown into prison; and forgotten by one whom he had helped. Joseph could have easily shaken his fist at God for allowing him to experience such “unfair” pain, but instead he chose to believe. He could have easily resented those who treated him unjustly seeking vengeance, but he chose to forgive. Joseph could have lived his life wallowing in the mire of self-pity and misery, but he chose to rejoice. He could have chosen to look for the negative, but he chose to look to God. Joseph never allowed the pain of the moment to cloud his view of eternity. His eyes and faith were steadfastly set on the God of creation and redemption. Joseph simply surrendered himself to the providential plans of the Sovereign Lord and rested in His unending mercy. Because of Joseph’s steadfast surrender God placed him in position to be a great blessing to others and he in return lavished in God’s blessing. Truly he could say, “What others meant for evil, God meant it for good.”