As a side note: We are reading through the Bible as a congregation, guided by Walk Thru the Bible. Here at home, Nikki has been reading from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young each night with Hope. By reading a chapter or two each night, Hope follows our reading guide. It even has a "Jesus Calling" section, drawing each day's story back to Scripture and how it relates to Christ.
Hope's story this evening on Jacob and his brothers, and my search for songs this coming Sunday led me to this blog by Rick Warren and Jon Walker. I hope you enjoy!
Reposted from http://rickwarren.org/devotional/english/god-meant-it-for-good
God Meant It For Good
BY RICK WARREN — MAY 21, 2014
You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result. Genesis 50:20 (NASB)
Joseph’s life was anything but peaceful. He was sold into slavery by jealous brothers and thrown into prison on false charges. Yet, he remained free of bitterness or regret and saw God as the “Great Engineer” behind even the worst of circumstances.
In a final confrontation with his brothers, he graciously noted, “You meant it for bad; God meant it for good.”
“God meant it for good” says:
You can accept the past. No sin, no action, no choice on your part is too big for God to handle or too big to be worked out for good (Romans 8:28). Just ask Joseph! Better yet, ask his brothers who ended up relying on him for their survival.
You can embrace the present. There’s no need to play the “what if” game. The past is forgiven and gone, and the future is in God’s omnipotent hands; so you’re free to focus on the present: “Wherever you are, be all there,” says Jim Elliot. God wants you in the present because that’s where his grace will flow.
You can look expectantly toward the future. Even if you make mistakes today, God still controls your future. Walking in the Spirit, you can live life to the fullest, without fear of making mistakes that take you out of God’s control. Even when things appear to be terrible, you can trust that God is still working out his divine plan for your life.
This devotional is by Jon Walker, editor of the Daily Hope Devotionals and author of Costly Grace.
