Read: Romans 8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Sadly, we cannot deny evil exists in this world. We become aware of it in so many places, so many ways and sometimes it seems inescapable. Be encouraged, however and take hope. Evil doesn’t get the last word on anything.
Evil actions were taken against Joseph and evil intent was absolutely the reason. Joseph suffered as a result of those actions. He would have changed his circumstances if he could. God also could have changed those circumstances – as a matter of fact, God could have prevented the evil actions from even taking place. It’s hard for us to contemplate that fact especially when we are the one suffering.
Joseph makes a profound statement to his brothers as they fear he’d take vengeance on them for what they had done. He responds, “Am I in the place of God?” or as another translation puts it “Am I God, that I can punish you?”. He recognizes God alone is God. He goes on to acknowledge God in fact does have the last word on what becomes of the evil inflicted on him. God does something wonderful with it, He saves many.
God is still in the business of turning evil around for good today. I admit I cannot tell you how He’s working it but God will have the last say. He’ll have the last word in my struggles, with your pain, in every way this world is afflicted. God will work it for good. Don’t settle on the evidence of evil around you in this world, trust in God. He is in fact doing something new (Isaiah 43:19).
