Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God
meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many
people alive.
These are the words of Joseph who had been mistreated by
his brothers because of sibling jealousy. They had sold him into slavery.
Remaining faithful to God Joseph was falsely accused by his master’s wife of
trying to assault her. Joseph went to prison, but found favor in God’s eyes and
was able to lead others even in prison. Joseph was eventually set free from
prison and next in command to Pharaoh. Joseph’s saw his father before his
death, but in the death of his father his brothers feared him. It is with this
verse that Joseph puts their minds at ease for now all of those who were with
Joseph's father, Jacob, would survive the famine of the land. God took the ugly evil around
Joseph and turned it into something for good.
I want to share some personal honesty in this devotion.
The past seven weeks have been some very unpleasant, ugly weeks of my life. I
have been working on a difficult work assignment that brings many challenges
and can be stressful at times. I get the news my mother has terminal cancer.
Ten days after hearing the news of my mother’s cancer I get a call she has passed
away. The next weekend our daughter was hospitalized, which was difficult for
her husband as they have only been married seven months. My wife and I have reassured
him things will be ok. The weekend our daughter is released from the hospital
one of our dear friends suddenly dies at age 58. She left behind a precious
daughter and granddaughter. Then Tuesday night our daughter was put back in the
hospital.
I know there has been a lot of ugly in my life lately,
but I can see God’s beauty at work. Many friends have prayed with our family. I
have watched people come together for our friend’s daughter and granddaughter
to help them through their time of difficulty. The doctor helping our daughter
is a wonderful and caring man who is available when we need him. I know my
mother is in heaven with no pain and no suffering. In her death many reached
out to show they cared. There are many beautiful things I can see in the midst
of ugly that God put in place.
I shared this with a friend in an email and he wrote
back, “Only those blessed by God are able to see the good in difficult times.” I
knew my friend was speaking to me. I am blessed with good friends. I am blessed
with kind co-workers who were there for me when my mother passed away. I am
blessed that God watches after my family and provides the resources for their
care. God is always doing something beautiful in the midst of ugly.
There are days I struggle, but then I remember God’s
beauty and life seems better. It must be really difficult to find anything good
in an ugly life when you can’t see God at work. Those who don’t know God most
likely don’t see the beauty God puts in place. This morning I want to pray for
those people.
Father there are many who do not know you and do not know
the love, peace, mercy and grace you provide. Father I know they must carry
heavy burdens. I know their sin must weight heavy on their hearts. Father I
pray these people learn of your Son whose life you gave so that we could see
the beauty in something ugly. The death of Jesus upon the cross was an ugly
sight, but You Father took Your Son’s death and made something beautiful. You
created a way to eternal life with You in heaven. Father I pray now those who
don’t know you will find You and place their faith in the beauty of your
salvation – Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.
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