Last time we learned that people
can change. Even if people had hurt you in the past, doesn't mean
that they do not deserve a second chance. People grow and change
constantly and if they are serious about their walk with God, then
they will grow spiritually and become the person that God created
them to be. And that person will most definitely be someone you
would want to be friends with. Therefore take a leap of faith and
trust that the other person has truly changed. Ask God to lead and
guide you in the process.
Joseph finally saw that his
brothers had truly changed. He was so overwhelmed by emotions. He
asked that all his servants leave. And then he revealed himself to
them as their brother:
"I am Joseph; does my father
still live?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were
dismayed in his presence." Genesis 45:3
His brothers were shocked. This was
the last thing that they had expected. They couldn't believe their
eyes. And now they were even more afraid of what he might do to
them, due to how they had treated them. But Joseph quickly
reassured them:
"And Joseph said to his
brothers, 'Please come near to me.' So they came near. Then he
said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now,
do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you
sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For
these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are
still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor
harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for
you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So
now, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He made me a
father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler
throughout all the land of Egypt." Genesis 45:4-9
Joseph reached out to his brothers
and reassured them that he was not angry with them. He saw the
bigger picture and God's hand in it all. God orchestrated that he
be in Egypt and in the right position at the right time. During the
hard times in Joseph's life he didn't see it, but looking back now,
he clearly saw how God worked for not only his good, but for the
good of his family too.
We might be going through difficult
things, we might have ups and we might have several downs. We might
have things in our lives that we simply do not understand. When we
are in the situations we might look horizontally and not see the
reasoning behind it all. But one day when we look back at the
bigger picture we see all the puzzle pieces coming together for us
and we will be able to see that God has been working for our good
all along. Even if we have gone astray and even if some of the
heartache has been solely our fault, if we turn back to God and
follow Him with all of our hearts, then He will turn things around
for us and we will see His wonderful good hand in it all.
We should never lose hope. He is
always there to lift us up. He wants us close to Him, He wants us
on the Plan A He has planned for us. And yes, Plan A might have
bumps and bruises along the way just as it had for Joseph, but it
will ultimately work out for our good and be the best plan for our
lives. We just need to trust Him and follow Him. He knows best and
will never leave you nor forsake you.
May we all look back at our lives
and see the unmistakable hand of God in it, just like Joseph. May
we be able to testify alongside him, that what others meant for
harm, God can turn into good. May we live the best life that He has
planned for us, walking alongside Him, honoring Him all the way.
Hallelujah!
Father thank you that You always
have good plans for us, plans for good and to prosper us. You do
not plan any evil to come on us, but You turn all evil plans for
our good, just as You did for Joseph. We praise You for that. Take
our lives and may it honor You in all that we do. We love You.
Amen