"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him" (Genesis 37:20). "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives"  (Genesis 50:20). 

A friend of mine told me about an experience he had recently. He was having lunch in a restaurant with another friend and was candidly sharing with him regarding his attempts to get another job. Unbeknownst to him after he had been seated the son of the owner of the company he worked for had sat down directly behind him.

Well, although my friend was sharing discreetly, he nevertheless was overheard by the owner's son who in turn reported it back to the owner. Needless to say my friend was unemployed a bit quicker than he had intended. Although he was expecting to move on he didn't expect to do so that quickly! I have since heard from him and he already has another job and is now able to chuckle about this "act of providence".

Consider how God uses events in our lives and the actions of others that, at the time, seem to make no sense at all. It may be a mistake on our part or the malicious attempts of others to do us harm, but God is always at work for the ultimate good of His children. However, we may very well see nothing at all "good" about it in the short term.  Some of you are in the midst of that "short term" as you read this.

When we are hurt our faith and character are tested by how we respond. We must settle this question. Is God really in charge or not? Of course He's in charge, absolutely, all the time, even when we make a mistake or others seek to hurt us.

Joseph certainly knew hurt and he had a long, long wait to see God's plan come about. Yet he stayed faithful and when things finally came together he could assure his fearful brothers as he did in the second daily text. He realized that although his brothers had intended him harm (which they certainly did) God has a wonderful way of over-riding the intents of others to fulfill His purpose.

Some of you reading this are stinging with hurt and the root of bitterness is growing. You must get a grip. We are in the middle of the story and that's where our faith is especially critical.  Like Joseph others may certainly intend to hurt us. The difficult circumstances of life also seem to bring us harm.

However, our God is always active in His children, intending to work out even the most difficult situations for our good. What blessed assurance when "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

God is too wise to be mistaken. 
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
When you don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand,
Trust His heart.

All things work for our good,
Though sometimes we can't see how they could.
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth,
Our Father knows what's best for us;
His ways are not our own.
So when your pathway grows dim,
And you just can't see Him, remember, you're never alone,

He sees the master plan.
He holds the future in His hands.
So don't live as those who have no hope;
All our hope is found in Him.
We see the present clearly,
But He sees the first and the last.
And like a tapestry, He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him. *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer – Jesus, I am so very thankful that You inspired Moses to record the events that took place in Joseph's life.  Many times I've read his story and it brought renewed hope that You had an overall plan for me even when I was quite perplexed about my situation.  Joseph reminds me that obedience to You may come with a mighty big price tag, even unfair consequences.  The very sin he was intent in avoiding he was accused of.  I'm so thankful that he did not grow bitter and turn his back on You, but rather He permitted You to develop his leadership skills while in prison. And those leadership skills would serve him well years later during Israel's famine. I wonder how many hardened hearts were changed by simply spending time with him in his prison duties. Remind me that when I'm in the midst of unfair circumstances I can also impact others and I'm also in training for the higher goal of Your overall plan for my life.  And help me, somehow, to be thankful rather than bitter.  In Your name, I pray.  Amen.

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* "Trust His Heart" Carswell, Eddie / Mason, Babbie © 1989 Dayspring Music (BMI)/May Sun Music/Word Music (ASCAP) (Divs. of Word, Inc.) / Causing Change Music (Admin. by Word Music [a div. of Word, Inc.])  CCLI License No. 2005306
Here is a full demonstration audio of this song on a Christian music soundtrack site
This song is available on a website called Soundtracks.com

Brooksyne's note: I remember when I first heard this song in 1992 as I was praying at our kitchen table.  God had revealed to Stephen and me that He wanted us to move on in our ministry, but He had not shown us when or where the place was to be.  As I listened intently to these words I was reminded that our future was in His hands and in the midst of our uncertainty we could "trust His heart."  It was a very memorable spiritual experience and I pray that this truth will minister to your needs as well.

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In his book "The Invisible Hand" R. C. Sproul points out that "the doctrine of concurrence refers to historical events in which the work of Providence has been acted out through human agencies.  That means at the same time human agents are acting, God is acting in and through them."  This is true in our own lives as well. Here is more information about this book.