Recently, I'd been feeling sorry for myself, when my mentally-challenged son called. As he usually does, before he hung up, he said, "Mom, I love you. Huggies and kissies." He lightened my spirits, making me feel a lot less lonely. No sooner had I set the phone on the table when it rang again. This time, my daughter called. This conversation lasted over an hour as she poured out her heart.

Life can be messy.

Joseph's eleven brothers knew about life's messiness from experience. They had sold Joseph into slavery, and then they lied to their father Jacob to cover their deed. Later, without his family's knowledge, Joseph rose to become Egypt's prime minister. When a devastating famine hit the area, his brothers came seeking food from the distribution that Joseph managed, but without knowledge that they were seeking it from their brother, who revealed his true identity only much later. After settling everyone in Egypt, their father died, and the brothers feared that Joseph would get even.

Genesis 50:19-21 – But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (NIV)

Joseph's brothers wanted to be rid of him, but God used their actions for everyone's ultimate good.

Tonight, my daughter and I prayed that God would take the mess that sin had created and sort it out; that God would take what Satan meant for evil, and reverse the consequences; that God would bring something wholly positive and good from the situation. As Paul reminds us:

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Yes, life can be messy, but God brings something good from what goes wrong.

Prayer: Father God, past decisions and actions have created a mess in our lives and in the lives of others. We ask for forgiveness for ourselves and for them. In Jesus' name, we pray for something good to come from these situations. Amen.

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About the author:

Cassandra Wessel <casswessel4319@gmail.com>
Tionesta, Pennsylvania, USA
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