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“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 (NIV)

Happy New Year!

For most of you, you are probably saying right now, “What’s happy about it?” I get it. The first New Year’s Eve after my husband’s death was not what I would call happy.

One of the few times we got together with friends socially was on New Year’s Eve when we spent the evening with his cousin and his wife. The guys watched hunting shows talking about all things hunting while we girls played Scrabble in the kitchen. At midnight we would gather together and ring in the New Year with a kiss.

But 2017 would not start with a kiss but rather tears. My life hadn’t gone the way I planned and I felt lost and alone.

Someone else’s life didn’t go as planned in the Bible.

In Genesis 37-50 we read Joseph’s story. In a nutshell, Joseph’s story goes like this:

• Favorite son of his father
• Hated by his brothers
• Sold by his brothers
• Auctioned off like a farm animal
• Served as a top-ranking servant in Potiphar’s house
• Falsely accused of rape
• Imprisoned
• Became a model prisoner
• Promoted to Convict in Charge
• Befriended the butler who promised to speak to the king on Joseph’s behalf
• Forgotten by the butler
• Served 2 more years in prison
• The butler finally remembered him
• Interpreted a dream for the king
• Promoted to Prime Minister
• Averted a famine
• Saved the Egyptians and his own family

Joseph didn’t exactly have a smooth ride in life.

We aren’t told how he felt each time he got knocked down or all the lessons he most likely learned along the way but we do know that God was with him through it all.

What we do know is how Joseph responded in the end to his brothers who had started this whole cycle of events:

“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 (NIV)

God took something that man planned for evil and used it for good!

Who knew? Joseph may not have been in the thick of it but it didn’t stop him from living a faithful and upright life amidst corrupt and evil people. He continually trusted God to deliver him from his trials.

I don’t know why our husbands had to die, except to say we live in a sinful world, but Joseph’s story teaches me that

“all things work together for good to those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)

My favorite part of our key verse is the two little words smack dab in the middle of this verse…

BUT GOD!

Through all that Joseph endured, he kept God in the middle of it all. And I want to encourage you to do the same thing by being in the Word and meeting Him in prayer daily.

The Enemy will try to fill your head with lies because he knows your story isn’t over and God has a plan for good. When he does, turn to him and say, “But God” followed by a promise.

• When he tells you that you are all alone … BUT GOD says He is with me wherever I go (Genesis 28:15)
• When he tells you that you will go without … BUT GOD says He sustains the widows (Psalm 146:9)
• When he tells you that you don’t know what you are doing… BUT GOD says He will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go (Psalm 32:8)
• When he tells you that you are weak and aren’t going to make it…. BUT GOD says He is my strength and He will uphold me with His righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
• When he tells you that God doesn’t hear you… BUT GOD says to call on Him and He will answer (Jeremiah 33:3)
• When he tells you that no one cares, even God… BUT GOD says He will gather me in His arms and carry me close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11)
• When he tells you that your life is over… BUT GOD says He has plans for me; plans for good plans for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)

Joseph’s life didn’t go the way He planned but history shows us that God’s plan meant the saving of a nation.

Just like Joseph, your story is not over and God is not going to waste any part of it.

As you enter the New Year, resolve to follow in Joseph’s footsteps by living a faithful and upright life as you trust God to bring good out of your trial.

Most gracious heavenly Father, may You grant us the grace and mercy that You showed Joseph in the midst of his trials. May we be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit to live faithful and upright lives, trusting You to bring good as You write our story.