Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. (Gen 50:20)

Sometimes this world is or can be a very stressful place. Today, I visited a family of someone who just lost the battle with colon cancer. Earlier in the day I spoke with someone who recently found out she has bladder cancer, and after that I spoke with someone who had a dear, long time friend pass away. It’s hard to explain why bad things happen to good people, but it seems like God has been trying to help us understand this dichotomy since the beginning of time.

The story of Joseph in Genesis is a good example of how evil people planned and schemed to destroy Joseph, but God was at work constantly changing the outcome for the good. A large part of our understanding of evil and why bad things happen to good people has to do with timing. When Joseph’s brothers were talking about killing him, things looked very dark, then Reuben came up with another idea. Reuben said put him in the pit, thinking he would rescue him later, but along comes a caravan going to Egypt. Joseph was sold as a slave, again things looked very bleak, but the text says (Gen 39:2) “the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man.”

Where you enter or leave this story of Joseph determines your perspective on Joseph’s life. Each time the circumstances look like they are impossible for Joseph, the text says the Lord was with Joseph and his life changes. It wasn’t instantaneous, it still required hard work on Joseph’s part, but Joseph looked to God for a way through the difficult times in his life.

Joseph’s story is a model for each of us. As our life ebbs and flows our perspective on our difficulties in life may change, again it depends on where one enters and leaves each of our own personal stories. Maybe our circumstances aren’t as dramatic as Josephs, but that doesn’t mean they are not just as traumatic to us as we are going through the trials of life. Like Joseph we need to rely on a gracious and loving God who wants the best for us in this life.  

Joseph’s story is also one of not just turning over a new leaf, but one of turning over his life to an all powerful God. This was a God whom he worshiped, a God who extended kindness to Joseph even when times were very tough. Joseph’s story illustrates how the change needed most in our lives is not one of circumstances, but it’s one of a changed heart. This transformation that occurs is not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has already done for each of us. Claim that knowledge today!

May the river of God’s Spirit float your boat through the streams of life in good times and bad.

Pastor Richard