‘We’ve
decided to sell the house you are renting.”
Those
were not the words my son and his wife wanted to hear from their landlord with just
two months to go on the probationary period of my daughter-in-law’s new job. They
were hoping to remain where they were until job security allowed them to buy a
house, but instead, were scrambling to find a home.
Having
moved in the middle of the school year last year, they didn’t want to put their
daughter through that kind of upheaval again so soon. The area covered by their
elementary school narrowed their possibilities considerably.
Unexpectedly,
after contacting a realtor, they found that a house, meeting all their
requirements, was for sale just one block away! The negative news from the
landlord ended up benefiting my son’s family.
Joseph,
son of Jacob, could relate: "You meant evil against me; but God meant it
for good."
His
words recorded in Genesis 50:20 dovetail with the words of Romans 8:28: “And we
know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love
Him and are called according to His purpose for them.”
Many
times, I have heard myself and others lament over trials, hurts, losses, and
injustices. If anyone had reason to be angry and vindictive, depressed and
forlorn, it is Joseph!
Genesis
tells us of a series of terrible hardships that Joseph endured—sold as a slave
by his own brothers, imprisoned by one he had served loyally, forgotten by
someone he had done a favor for! After all these devastating events, he graciously
says, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.”
How?
How has he kept a positive attitude? How is he willing to forgive the very ones
who earlier had not only sold him into slavery but had originally plotted to
kill him?
Looking
back over Joseph’s life we note that he chose to continue to love God and live
for him, even in the midst of betrayal, incredible temptation, false
accusations, and abandonment. He did his best, whether it was working as a
slave, offering advice, caring for another’s property, or administering his assigned
duties. Joseph’s theology impacted his daily living. He trusted completely in
the eternal, allowing him to more easily forgive when robbed of family,
homeland, possessions, and position.
If
God can take things that were done purposely for evil against Joseph, why do we
doubt that he can use those “bad” things that happen to us? God doesn't just
make lemonade out of lemons--he makes lemon meringue pie, lemon sorbet, lemon
drop candies, and lemon cookies! Just ask our son!
Be
encouraged!
Pam©2017 Pamela D. Williams
