Wednesday Reading: Genesis 50:15-21
Key Verse: Genesis 50:20
20 But as for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save a great many people alive.
Devotion:
How many times have you looked back on things that have happened and seen that they actually did happen for a reason; but during those times we could not see why they were happening? We cannot understand all of God’s ways because we never see the whole picture but we can understand what He has done for us after we see that it was actually His will in our lives. When Joseph was sold as a slave and traded away, he must have though all manner of things after being raised as his father’s favourite sons. But when he was faced with the final closure when his brothers finally came to bow before him, that may well have been the defining moment when he finally saw God’s big picture!
We may not like it when God gives us extra burdens to carry but He does that because He knows we can bear them. He would not give them to us if He knew we would buckle and fail; yes we may buckle a few times as we get to know how to handle those burdens but we have been given them to strengthen our position. God has the big picture and He is preparing us for what will come ahead. If we do not do the exercise then we may not be able to go through that which is coming round the corner. That sounds harsh and even discouraging, but as with Joseph God has planned things for His glory and for our good. When we are finding things heavy to bear then maybe He is planning a triumphant result that we could never imagine.
If three people were trying to ascend a hill, one may be given a bike because they cannot manage. One may be left alone because they can manage. Whilst one may be given a weight to carry because they were very fit. The one with the bike may reach the top first but that will encourage them to find out more. The less fit person will be encouraged because they reached the top before the fittest person. Finally the fit person will be looking to train harder so they can finish in a better time next time. Which person would you be?
Points to Ponder:
Do you think life is good?
Are you seeing that God is allowing you to work?
