God's Intentions

By Words of Hope, Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Read: Genesis 37:12-36

"Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:20)

Sometimes God's intentions for us grow out of the soil of our pain. Joseph's brothers didn't like him. He was a tattle-tale and more than a little obnoxious with his self-glorifying dreams.

First we read, "they hated him." Then, "they hated him even more"; and as if that weren't enough, a third time: "They hated him even more." So in their hatred, the brothers plot and plan and decide to get rid of Joseph, not just for a while but forever. They get nervous though, and rather than killing him, they decide to hang a "for sale" sign around their baby brother's neck.

By the twists and turns of God's providence Joseph rises to power, a famine falls on the land, the brothers are hungry, they come to Egypt and beg Joseph for food, Joseph is in a position to provide, and their family becomes reconciled. "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good."

God transformed the hatred of a family, the suffering of slavery, and the famine of a land to bring about his greater purpose. God has a way of doing that, growing his intentions out of the soil of our pain.

Prayer: Lord, in our pain and brokenness, bring about your intentions. Amen.

Used with Permission