No Worse for the Wear

 

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20 ESV).

 

I rarely take either of my rings off my hands, day or night. Part of the reason for that is that my hands and joints are a bit larger than they were fifty-two years ago when I first put them on. As you can see from the picture included here, they are both well-worm with age. My wedding ring was once really circular while it has now become slightly oval. I suppose that’s from some impact along the way, undoubtedly saving a significant injury to my finger while it suffered the brunt of the impact. It was also florentined along the sides with small scalloped edges. Those are long worn away with the daily wear. My Aggie ring is a bit more recognizable, though much of the finer detail is now smooth and unrecognizable. Even with that I can confidently say they are “no worse for the wear.”

 

Sounds like the ranting of an old man who doesn’t have very good vision, doesn’t it? Well, my eyesight certainly isn’t what it once was; however, I see better spiritually now than I ever have. Our reading today tells the same story from Joseph’s perspective. I haven’t endured the same difficulties or trials of this great man of faith, but I have been banged about. This is true for all of us who lived any amount life. Some of the impacts came from betrayals; others from health issues; and, some from poor choices on my part. Regardless of the details, the impact is the same. All of them wear away at our lives.

 

What is left is the strength gained from the memories of God’s faithfulness. Like the Apostle Paul, I have learned the truth of the purpose of weakness: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV). I don’t know how worn and bent you feel. I do know how strong God is in His children. Trust that strength to deliver you complete to your eternal home! Men may desire evil toward you… God only uses it to bring about good!