Genesis 50:20

Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. Genesis 50:20 (GW)

Whenever I read the story of Joseph's early life, I get caught up in the conflict, emotional tension, and turmoil. But then I sigh when I reach chapter 45 and see a beautiful picture of peace and restored relationships. After Joseph revealed his identity, he assured his brothers that what had happened to him was part of God's plan. Joseph released them from their burden of guilt. Once they recovered from their shock that Joseph was live, they sat down and talked about how things had changed. The formerly despised brother is now a powerful leader. The guilty brothers are not only forgiven but protected and provided for by the one they had wronged. The aging father still grieving the loss of his beloved son learns he is not only alive, but greatly honored; he'll soon see him again. A family struggling to survive the famine is promised the best Egypt has to offer.

When God takes evil and works good out of it, unbelievable things happen. And it;s all because of grace. Joseph's story is thrilling, but the New Testament shows how grace took the form of a human being. Amazing things happened after Jesus came to earth. Broken bodies and broken hearts were healed. Weary souls found hope and a way opened to find forgiveness and eternal life.

I'm convinced that Jesus can take all the broken dreams, strained relationships, and past mistakes in my life and use them for good. I want to grow in trust and obedience so that one day I will look back and say, "How things have changed-all because of grace!" ---Dianne Neal Matthews

Faith Step:  What problem or situation in your life seems senseless? Ask Jesus to infuse it with His grace and bring good and beauty our of those circumstances.