BBD 03.10.06 For Your Good
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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03.10.06
For Your Good
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps
Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did
to him." So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died
he commanded, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please
forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to
you."' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your
father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went
and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your
servants." Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of
God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good,
in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now
therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones."
And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. - Genesis 50:15-21.
Donald Batsch (54-years-old) is the owner of the Chester Lane Market in
Bakersfield, California. The store was robbed last month (February 2006) and
Donald was shot twice. He was shot in the arm and in his abdomen. Instead of
being upset about the attack Batsch says, "It was like an act of God that he
shot me." He also said, "I'm not mad at him (The robber)." Of course, we
wonder how could that be an act of God? Why would Mr. Batsch say such a
thing? Because while they were in surgery for the abdomen wound they found a
tumor. The tumor could have gone undetected for a long period of time making
successful treatment unlikely. Now Donald will receive treatment and will
have a better chance of recovery. Donald says because of the tumor being
found that the robber "did me a favor."
Genesis 50:20 is known as the Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament. Joseph tells
his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it
for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people
alive." It is an incredible statement considering all that Joseph had been
through because of his brothers and certainly none of his brothers would
have ever said or thought anything like that. The brothers of Joseph thought
that Joseph would now take his revenge upon them after the restraining
influence of their father was gone. Why wouldn't Joseph want revenge? After
all, except for one brother they all wanted him dead and would have killed
him. They still sold him into slavery where because of refusing to dishonor
his God he ended up in prison for many years. For Joseph, however, hindsight
is 20/20. He knows that God protected him, cared for him, and raised him to
a position of power so that he could do the same for his family during the
seven years of famine. They meant it for evil but God used it for much good.
I can look at every bad thing that has happened in my life and see that God
has used and is using it for good. That does not mean that I enjoyed or
necessarily wanted those things to happen but I understand that through God's
power it has been for my benefit.
Here are a few of those things and situations:
Our youngest son is mentally handicapped - God has used this to allow me to
hear His voice more clearly and to be more sensitive and compassionate. God
has used Nick in the lives of countless others to do the same.
Struggling financially over a period of years - God taught me to trust that
He could provide even when it appeared humanly impossible. I have a greater
understanding now of what those with financial problems are going through, a
greater compassion, and greater wisdom to help others.
Illness and being hospitalized - Gave me a greater understanding and
compassion for those who have to go through something like that. I am a much
better pastor now than I was before.
My Mother and Father being unable to care for themselves and others taking
advantage of them - Opened my eyes to what so many are going through and
have gone through with their parents. Again, I have been allowed to see that
God can provide and He has led me through what seemed at one time to be
impossible.
I know that many of you have gone through much more difficult things and
situations than I have. I pray that you will realize as Joseph did that God
can use whatever bad thing or situation that happens for your ultimate good.
Remember too that whatever happens, happens in the shadow of the cross, and
we can always have the assurance that God loves us.
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