January 20, 2012 (Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 NLT
Observation: Joseph’s brothers had committed evil and wicked acts against him many years before because of their jealousy. Satan used them, Joesph’s own family, to try to destroy him, and if they had succeeded, they would have been sentencing themselves to a horrible death of starvation. Even though they meant harm to Joseph, and harm to themselves unknowingly, God worked it out for the good of all of them. He used the situation to humble them all and teach them about His grace and mercy.
Application: Knowing that your own family desires to bring you harm and hurt has to be one of the toughest life lessons to endure. It’s just not natural for a mother, or sister, to desire harm to their own son and brother. I speak of personal experience. Yet, what they intended as harm, God has turned into peace. The void left by their actions has been filled by His Spirit. Truly, no weapon formed against me will prosper, no lie that has been told will cause me harm. Jesus is my protector and He is my provision. Whether He gives or takes away, whether He blesses me or uses me to preserve the lives of sinners, whether He lifts me up or humbles me to His feet, I am His and He is mine, and that is all that matters.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your grace and mercy that provides and protects me. You lift me up in the approiate times and You humble me when needed as well. Thank You for that, it proves to me just how much You care for me. Please turn what others have intended as harm in my life into good for Your glory. Show Your mercy and grace by supernaturally protecting those who serve You, while bringing to repentance those who have committed such acts of evil and deception. In Jesus name, Amen!