The above words belong to Joseph, the son of Jacob. When he was 17 years old, his own brothers sold him to slave traders because he was his father's favorite and they were jealous of him. He was taken to Egypt and eventually imprisoned because of a false accusation. In prison, he helped Pharoah's cupbearer, who neglected to return the favor, and Joseph spent two more years in jail. When Joseph was 30 years old, he interpreted a dream for Pharoah, who made him ruler over all of Egypt. For 13 long years, Joseph endured injustice and rejection. Through it all, he continued to trust God, Who rewarded him with extraordinary blessings. Joseph speaks the above words to his brothers when they meet again after many years. He tells them that though they meant to do him harm, God turned it into good for him and many others. As ruler over Egypt, he was able to prepare the Egyptians for seven years of famine. Even the Israelites, including Joseph's own family, were amply supplied.

Joseph's life is the perfect example of how God can turn the worst kind of adversity into good for His children. Though it was Joseph's brothers who sold him into slavery, it was Satan behind the evil deed. Even after 13 years of mistreatment and misfortune, God's purpose was fulfilled in Joseph's life, and the Lord used him mightily to save others and to glorify Himself. Maybe you've experienced injustice or rejection in your life. Perhaps you've even struggled with feelings of worthlessness. Maybe you feel like God has forgotten you. Joseph must have felt that way, too. But listen to what Jesus says in Luke 18:27, "The things that are impossible with men are possible with God." You can't turn the adversities in your life into something good. Neither can anyone else. But God can. It's one of the things that He does best. If you will place yourself in God's hands and put your trust in Him, He has a special promise for you today. It's in Romans 8:28 and it says, "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." There isn't anything that's happened to you that God can't turn into your good. Let Him prove it to you. He's only a prayer away.

Prayer: Lord, You know all the things I've suffered in my life--the injustice, rejection, and sorrow. Right now, I give them all to You, along with my very life, and I ask that You heal me of all past hurts. Deliver me from a feeling of worthlessness, and give me a new sense of purpose. Take every negative experience in my past and turn it into my good. Thank You for using me to touch others' lives for Your glory!