Gen 50:20 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.

Jacob died. After the funeral, Joseph’s brethren began to fear for their lives. They said: “Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him” (v.15). They came begging Joseph to forgive them for what they had done to him. They said they were willing to become his slaves (v.15-19). Joseph wept when they spoke to him. He wept when he recalled being thrown into a dark pit. He wept when he recalled the betrayal by his own brethren. He wept when he recalled the time he spent in a prison in Egypt. He was just a teenager, alone and afraid. Those were sorrowful times.   But Joseph probably wept because his brothers thought so little of him. How could they doubt his character so greatly? Joseph said to them: “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” (v.20). Joseph gave them the strongest assurances of his forgiveness. God meant it unto good – It reminds me of this verse in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It is hard to accept a thing can be good when you are the one that is suffering. But Joseph demonstrated great faith in God. He was hit with much adversity. Another man I could think of is Job. Job was hit with great afflictions too. It could be easier for Job and Jacob to ask: "What have I done wrong?" "Why is God punishing me?" But Joseph said: “God meant it for good” (v.20). Job said: “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). Our Lord Jesus said: “Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:42). How does one look at adversity depends largely on his faith in God and his understanding of God’s purpose through adversity. It is difficult to appreciate adversity when you are the one that is suffering. Hence, adversity can be our deadliest means of discouragement or our motivation towards spiritual maturity. How did the apostle Paul look at his adversity? He said: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Paul is not saying he is smiling all the way whenever adversity comes to him. He is not saying he loves adversity. He is saying only if it is for Christ’s sake. If he is suffering because of his sins and poor decisions, he would be ashamed. The apostle Peter concurs: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye” (1 Peter 4:14). Barnes wrote: “Some of the happiest persons I have known are those who have been deeply afflicted; some of the purest joys which I have witnessed have been manifested on a sick-bed, and in the prospect of death.” (Barnes’ Notes, e-sword). I agree with Barnes. A faithful sister-in-Christ passed on just a few days ago. She had a terminal cancer. She knew her time was near. Was she sad? Visiting her to encourage her, I was instead encouraged by her positive attitude and her joy that she will be receiving her eternal reward. Her death resulted in the conversion of her sister who had been with a denomination all her life to the truth. Her sister was baptised on the day she passed on to eternity. Yes, God meant it unto good! Every Christian should be able to see the loving and providential hand of God in their life, to know that no matter what “evil” they may be experiencing in their life, God can use it for good. “But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3, 4).