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The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 13 September 2024 | God Meant It For Good
TOPIC: God Meant It For Good
READ: Genesis 50:15-26 (NKJV)
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.”
So they sent [messengers] to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying,
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ‘ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we [are] your servants.”
Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for [am] I in the place of God?
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; [but] God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.
“Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.
Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third [generation.] The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph’s knees.
And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”
So Joseph died, [being] one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
THE MESSAGE:
Joseph’s enslavement to Egypt by his brothers was an event no one could easily forget. When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers felt that he would repay them evil for evil. They took steps in verses 16 to 18 to handle their fears. From verse 17 and 21, why do you think Joseph wept, and also comforted and reassured them of his continued support? Joseph had the fear of God, and knew that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Genesis 39: 9; 42: 18; Romans 8: 28). God used the evil plans of his brothers to work out good for the entire family. Joseph lived to a good old age of 110. He died in hope that God would visit His people and return them to Canaan. He therefore requested them to carry his bones with them, which they did some 400 years later (verses 24-25; Joshua 24: 32).
Have you suffered any harm or ill-treatment from someone you had expected better things from? Do not repay evil for evil, but believe God to turn things around for your good. Keep your fire keep burning, and your zeal strong till the end (Romans 5: 5;12: 11).
PRAYER: Thank You Lord, that You have good plans for me (Jeremiah 29: 11).
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Prayer of Salvation:
Lord Jesus, I come before You today, acknowledging my need for Your grace. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Savior, believing in my heart that You died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. Thank You, Lord, for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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