SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 50:20

Joseph's story in Genesis is one of my favorites because God's sovereignty cannot be ignored (Gen 37-50).

Filled with hate & jealousy, Joseph's brothers initially plotted to kill him because of Joseph's prideful behavior. But at the persuasion of Reuben (the oldest brother who planned to come back to save him), they threw Joseph into a pit. While Reuben was away, the other brothers decided to sell Joseph to some merchants, who then took Joseph & sold him as a slave to one of Pharaoh's guards. As a result of God's grace & favor, Joseph was likened by the superiors in Egypt. When Egypt went through a severe famine, Joseph was positioned as a governor who oversaw the distribution of provisions to the people. His God-given wisdom saved the lives of many, including Joseph's own family. It also led to the reconciliation between Joseph's brothers & the reunion of Joseph with his father Jacob (who was renamed Israel by God).

When we read about Joseph's story, spiritual warfare is evident. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good. Not just for Joseph, but his family & ultimately for Israel. The wickedness of Joseph's brothers was met with forgiveness, faithfulness, love, & kindness.

We always wonder why bad things happen to good people or why there is pain & suffering in the world. Yahweh does not inflict punishment, pain, or suffering. Our God is a good & gracious God. The evil we see around us is that of our making. It all stems from our hatred, anger, & selfishness. God's hedge of protection is around those who truly belong to Him. When we experience pain or suffering, it's merely because God removes His hand so that we feel the repercussions of our own sin. He means this as an act to call us towards obedience (Gen 4:7). God works all things out for those who love Him & are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). God's good plan & perfect will is constantly at work, foiling the plans of the wicked.

Do not meet evil with evil, but with light, love, & truth. When we respond to things in this way, it shows our fervent obedience to God & our confidence that God can use any given situation for His ultimate good.