He Purposes it for Good
Out of a sense of blessedness that was with him from childhood, he remained completely faithful to God.
Attacked and sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (37:18-36), then buried and forgotten for years in prison on false charges deriving precisely from his moral rectitude (39:7-23), he remained sure of the goodness of his own life before God. Later on, after becoming the governor of all of Egypt, he could say to his brothers concerning their betrayal of him, “You intended to do evil to me, but God meant for it to achieve good” (Gen. 50:20).
It is confidence in the invariably overriding intention of God for our good, with respect to all the evil and suffering that may befall us on life’s journey, that secures us in peace and joy. We must be sure of that intention if we are to be free and able, like Joseph, to simply do what we know to be right.
—Dallas Willard
The Divine Conspiracy
Lord willing, we will never experience the painful travails Joseph endured, the intimate betrayal of his siblings, being sold into slavery, falsely accused and jailed. But we will (and do) experience trials and tribulations in this world. As we do, we can hold fast to the promise of our God, that He holds our very best interest in heart and hand. This is not the end he intends for you; it is but a steppingstone to glory. Rest. Trust in Him. He will not let you down. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics