[今日經文 Today’s Reading: 創世記 Genesis 45-47]
5 現在，不要因為把我賣到這裏而憂傷，對自己生氣，因為 神差我在你們以先來，為要保全性命。 6 現在這地的饑荒已經二年了，還有五年不能耕種，沒有收成。 7 神差我在你們以先來，為要給你們在世上存留餘種，大施拯救，保全你們的性命。 8 這樣看來，差我到這裏來的不是你們，而是 神。他又使我如同法老之父，作他全家之主，和埃及全地掌權的人。
創世記 Genesis 45:5-8
5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.
當約瑟夫最終向他的兄弟們表明自己的身份時，他的兄弟們都感到不可思議且害怕約瑟夫會報復他們。 但約瑟沒有這樣做，而是照顧了整個家族。 關鍵是約瑟從神的眼光看一切。 上帝一直在掌管一切； 是上帝差約瑟去埃及為要保全性命。 創世記 5:20 直接說：“從前你們的意思是要害我，但 神的意思原是好的。”
是的，我們生活中發生的一切，即使是本身是邪惡的事情，上帝仍然可以轉為美好——不僅是為了我們，也是為了其他人。 讓我們戴上“一副新眼鏡”，從上帝的眼光來看一切。 我們將看到上帝是為愛上帝的人計劃一切美好事物的導演。 因此，我們可以在任何情況下都相信上帝，而我們自己會做正確和善良的事。
禱告：親愛的上帝，幫助我們在任何情況下，包括在困難時期，都信靠祢，並善待他人，這樣祢的美意才能實現。 奉耶穌的名，阿們。
When Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers, his brothers were dismayed and fearful that Joseph would take revenge upon them. But instead of doing this, Joseph took care of the whole family. The key was that Joseph saw everything from God’s perspective. God had been behind everything; it was God who had sent Joseph to Egypt in order to preserve life. Genesis 5:20 states it directly: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
Yes, everything that has happened in our lives, even things that were evil in themselves, God can still turn for good – not only for us but also for others. Let us wear “a new pair of glasses” to see everything from God’s view. Then we will see that God is the Director who plans everything for GOOD for those who love God. Therefore we can trust God in all circumstances and ourselves do what is right and good.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to trust You in all circumstances, including during difficult times, and to do good to others so Your good purpose can be fulfilled. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
