Daily Devotions – God’s good plan

Daily Devotions – God’s good plan

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

Genesis 45:1-8 (ESV)

Joseph Provides for His Brothers and Family
45 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 50:19-21 (ESV)

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Joseph finally understood that God’s will, through all of the ups and downs, was to place him in a position to save his brothers and even his father. God wanted to use Joseph to save their lives! It was not Joseph’s own power or wisdom that got him to this place, but God’s work and blessing in his life. Now Joseph could use that to reconcile and restore his relationship with his brothers and share that grace and mercy that God had given to him! This is the mission of reconciliation that God has given to us, too. Through Jesus’ work on the cross we have a new life of peace, joy, and love. Now God wants us to share that blessing with others through forgiveness, reconciliation and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus’ love to all people, especially those we have hurt or have hurt us.