“And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”–Genesis 50:19–21
The sufferings that Joseph endured because of the wrong actions of others is more than most of us will ever experience. His brothers hated him because he was their father’s favorite son, and they decided to sell him into slavery only because it was more profitable than murder. Joseph was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. Even Pharaoh’s butler, whom Joseph helped and befriended in the prison, failed to keep his promise to help until years had passed.
How did Joseph maintain a right spirit and a close relationship with God despite all that injustice? Joseph believed that God was working. I’m sure he didn’t understand why things happened the way they did. There must have been moments when he questioned what was going on and if things would ever get better. But through it all, Joseph maintained his faith. It was so strong that he was even willing to forgive those who had done him wrong when vengeance was in his power. Later, Joseph issued a wonderful declaration (Genesis 50:19–21) that showed he saw God at work even in the dark times of his life.
When we struggle with unjust treatment by others, with difficult circumstances that come through no fault of our own, it is easy to forget that none of these things take God by surprise. He is able to use the very worst things that happen for our good and to equip us to do good for others as well.
