Genesis 50:20 - Turning Lifes Hardships into Stepping Stones.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV) 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 (GW) Even though you planned
evil against me, God planned good to come out of
it.
INTRODUCTION
Joseph's wise, theological answer here in
this verse has gone down in history as the
classic statement of God's sovereignty over the
affairs of men. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003]
COMMENTARY PEARL
One of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s first
experiences of segregation happened when he was about
six years old. He was told by the parent of a
white friend that they couldn't play together
anymore. It's no surprise, then, that in his famous
"I Have a Dream" speech, he says he dreams of a
nation where black and white children can hold
hands. Where someone else might have used a
traumatic experience and blow to the heart to fuel the
fire of hatred and division, Dr. King used his to
unite people.
In the book of Genesis, Joseph's brothers
are so jealous of their father's extravagant
love for him that they sell Joseph into slavery.
When Joseph becomes the second most powerful man
in Egypt, and his brothers come begging for
help in the famine, Joseph graciously provides
for them. He uses his traumatic experience and
blow to the heart for good, saving his brothers'
lives and those of the people of Egypt.
Like all of us, I've had traumatic
experiences and blows to my heart. But I mustn't ever
forget these two powerful examples. They're
wonderful reminders that Jesus can still use me to
make the world a better place - not despite my
hardships, but because of them and the goodness He can
draw forth from them. Claire McGarry
Faith Step: Identify a hardship from your
life and recognize the good that has come from
it. How can you use that goodness to bless
others? [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Genesis 50:20 - Turning Lifes Hardships into
Stepping Stones.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210419-0844.html
Genesis 50:20 - God Brings Good Out Of Evil.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201022-0944.html
Genesis 50:20 - God Often Brings Good Out Of
Evil.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090123-1759.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/