S130P6 – The flavors of God’s favor: hatred reformulated
Gen. 50:19-21
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.
Her boss had wanted her gone for some time, but her work record was too strong to convince anyone to consider removing her. In fact, it was her track record that had placed his target on her back. She was too good at her job, and that made him nervous about his. So, he assigned her to an impossible case with an impossible client in the hopes that she would fail in some colossal fashion. Instead, she would rise to the challenge the way she always had. It took more time and more work, and she had to teach herself a new science in the process, but she would take that case and run with it. In the end, instead of breaking her career, that assignment would be the one to make her career.
Joseph faced some incredibly evil intentions by his brothers to ruin him. First, they plotted to kill him. Then, they changed that plan and decided instead to simply let him rot in a pit, which surely would have killed him anyway. Ultimately, they sold him into slavery to strangers. His own flesh and blood plotted and acted in hatred to effect his demise, but their plans would be foiled. It would take over a decade, but the Lord eventually would raise Joseph to be second only to Pharaoh in power and authority in the land. His brothers aimed for his demise, but God’s favor would not be quelled. The Lord meant Joseph for greater things, so He took the actions motivated by hatred and manipulated them to produce blessing after blessing.
God’s favor can begin in a manner that looks like something much different than the end result. Joseph’s life is not the only example of this in scripture. Our Savior walked this same road. Satan wanted him destroyed and entered Judas to make the transaction that would set the wheels into motion. Those wheels would stop when Jesus was sacrificed, but the Father meant that for his good and our good. Our great enemy and those who work toward his purposes will bring evil our way, but our Father will turn their curses to his favor and bring us what is good. Father, thank You for the favor that turns the enemy’s evil plans to your good blessing.