Understanding Why
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 NLT
Perspective. It is what helps us to understand the events of life when all the “dust” settles. Thirteen of the 50 chapters of Genesis focuses on the story of Joesph. That is almost twenty percent of the book.
We begin the story when Joesph is 17 and end with the record of his death at 120. Joesph is the favored son of his father. His dreams and his bad reports of his brothers don’t help his family relationships. He goes from pit to prison to palace.
Joesph’s life and attitude were tested and refined as a servant and prisoner. We read of Joesph’s attitude and diligence that won him favor regardless of his challenging circumstances. We also see the reference to the fact that “God was with him.”
That in itself challenges us in the difficulties of life. When we have the confidence that God is with us and we possess the right attitude and response to what happens, we can “come out on top.”
Proverbs 10:25 NLT reminds us, “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.”
Joesph was able to forgive his brothers before they asked. He as able to put the past behind and to live in the provisions of the Lord’s blessing on his life. As a result, his perspective was radically different than his brothers.
After Jacob died, his brothers were still anticipating revenge and retribution. They lived in the past, not seeing the significance of what transpired over the years. Joesph was able to see the bigger picture and to tell his brothers, “what you intended for evil, God intended for good.”
As the Lord was preparing to punish His disobedient and idolatrous people by sending them captive to Babylon, He sent Jeremiah with this message, “The anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all he has planned. In the days to come, you will understand all this very clearly.” (Jeremiah 23:20 NLT)
We don’t understand the lessons and the outcome of what the Lord allows to come to our life. But we can be confident of the Lord’s presence and work in our life. That is why we call our spiritual life a “journey of faith.” The road may be challenging and difficult and filled with suffering or pain, but we can be confident that the Lord is helping us and working on our behalf as we keep our eyes on Him and trust in Him.
I remember the words of a friend of mine, “God doesn’t give us what we can handle, He helps us handle what we are given.” When it’s over regardless of how long it takes, we will see God working out His purpose in our lives.