Your Pain and God's Purpose
Friday, October 3
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Devotion
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a trying season of life? Joseph did: thrown into a pit by his brothers (Genesis 37:24), sold into slavery, then imprisoned unjustly for 13 years. Talk about a trying season of life! But the Scriptures explain that Joseph honored the LORD in everything he did, and as a result found favor with many people around him during this season of his life. So much favor, in fact, that Pharaoh put him in charge of all of Egypt after being released.
Eventually, a severe famine came over the entire land, and due to Joseph’s position, as well as his following of God’s direction, millions of people from Egypt and the surrounding nations were saved from starvation, as Egypt was the only nation with food. One of those families who came for help was Joseph’s, including his brothers who threw him into the pit to begin with.
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph says to his brothers that what they intended as evil, God intended as good, so that millions of people’s lives would be saved. Knowing that the famine was coming, God used the intentions of Joseph’s brothers to fulfill His own intentions. God ordained that Joseph go through what he did in order to become the person capable of leading an entire nation and saving millions of lives.
Not only that, but because Joseph sold the food instead of giving it away for free, an abundance of wealth flooded into Egypt that would potentially be given to the Israelites when God led them to their freedom some 400 years later.
So, back to the original question: Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a trying season of life? Maybe you recently got out of one. Maybe you’re in one right now. It’s easy to panic or become discouraged during these times, but let Joseph’s story be a lesson to stop and ask, “Is it possible that this season of my life has a purpose? Is it possible that this season has been ordained by God so I can become the person He needs me to be, in order that I can be the instrument He uses in the future to accomplish His plans? Is it possible that there are people on the other side of my ‘becoming’ that God has prepared for me to help?”
Paul explains in Romans 8:28 that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Go forth in this encouragement, knowing that whatever it is you’re going through, God has His hand over it and will work for good.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to see Your heart in times when I don’t understand and when I question “why.” I know Your plans for me are good. I choose to reach out in faith and trust You because I know You are merciful and I know that You love me. Let even this moment be a testimony for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Apply It Today
Value Your Past: Read Genesis 50:20. Journal about how a painful experience in your life can be used for God’s purpose.
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