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Some
of the most enjoyable stories about children involve them trying to do something
that is beyond their ability. Most of us have heard stories about well meaning
kids who have tried to fix breakfast for Mom and Dad, only to make something inedible
accompanied by a large mess. In my younger parenting days I wrongly handled a
few incidents like that with my own children.
There is a tongue-in-cheek axiom, "no good deed will go unpunished."
For adults, that's what we might encounter when our attempts at doing good don't
work out. Thankfully, God never has any mistakes like that of a child or adult.
You should read the whole life of Joseph in Genesis
37-50 , but his life is summed up in Genesis
50:20. Joseph's brothers are at his mercy after
the terrible thing they had done to him. When the brothers come fearfully before
him, he has this amazing insight. "As for you, you meant evil against me, but
God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve
many people alive."
When you and I learn Joseph's lesson, it affects not only our actions
but also our attitude. Even a life that faced many troubles has a sweet aroma
of grace because we know that God knows what He is doing (Romans
8:28).!
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard
Version unless otherwise noted.
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~ Meant
for Good
