Genesis 50:15-21
15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ 16So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17“Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’
Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ 19But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
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God sometimes does strange things in this world, things we don't understand. God takes what humans have done, terrible things sometimes, and turns them into something good.
For instance, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was surely the darkest day humanity has seen--we strung the best man this world has ever seen on a cross to die, and then God turns around and uses that to redeem all of humanity.
Instances throughout history have been used by God for good, when they were initially terrible. God can bring good out of the worst circumstances. Some of the instances of reconciliation coming out of Rwanda have been so uplifting, which is amazing when one considers all the tragedy that took place there.
Our own plans often leave us broken and weeping, wondering what has happened. What we thought would be so good turns out so poorly.
And God can use that for good.
May we remember that whenever we think our plans are terrible failures, and when we start to believe that we, too, are failures.
God can bring good out of any situation. Just look to the cross and be reminded that we worship a God of redemption, of love, of second chances.
Blessings
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