Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

Joseph was the favorite son of his father Jacob. As a result, he was hated by his brothers, who sold him into slavery.

Many years later, Joseph met up with all his brothers down in Egypt. He had become the prime minister under Pharaoh.

They were full of fear as they stood before him. To their surprise, he showed love and compassion. “You meant it for evil,” he said, “but God meant it for good.”

From the beginning, there has been a struggle between good and evil. Adam and Eve chose evil over good, and it affected the whole world.

It seems like evil has overcome good, but it is good that overcomes evil. (Romans 12:21) The Lord causes all things to work together for good, even when all things don’t look so good. (Romans 8:28)

The story is told about a godly preacher who had complete faith that God would work everything for his good.

During the reign of Queen Mary of England, he had been taken into custody for preaching the gospel.

When he heard the sentence, that he was to be burned at the stake, he said. “Well, never mind. God will work all things together for my good. I don’t know how, but He will!”

On the way to London, the guards roughly threw him to the ground, breaking his leg. Mocking him, they asked him how this would work out for his good. “I don’t know,” he answered, “but it will.”

Because the guards had to put his leg in a splint, the group arrived a day late. By that time, Mary had died, and the new queen, Elizabeth, pardoned him.