Bad News/Good News

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Bad News/Good News                                                            Genesis 50:15-21

            For the brothers of Joseph, the last seventeen years had been a good ride (Genesis 47:28).  They had been living in Egypt with their families and their father under the protective hand of their brother Joseph - the same Joseph whom they had hatefully sold into slavery years before.  Now, however, their father Jacob was dead and no longer a buffer between them and their brother.  Would Joseph seek revenge on them?  They sent him a contrived message from their father; then came in person asking forgiveness.  Joseph is not about to hold things against them, however.  His answer: “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

            Their bad turned out for good because God was behind it all.  What an awesome God we have!  Life is often like this.  Having the right perspective on things can turn something bad into something good.  Trusting that God is always working can give us peace in difficult times.  Do we see only the bad or do we look for the good?

            The bad news: We need to go grocery shopping.  The good news: we don’t have to go catch a chicken, wring its neck, bleed it, pluck its feathers, etc.

            The bad news: Tomorrow I have to go to work.  The good news: You have a job to earn money for taking care of your needs.

            The bad news: The kids sure are rowdy today.  The good news:  God has blessed you with children!

            The bad news: The electric bill came today.  The good news: You have electric lights, a refrigerator, a television (maybe more than one), air conditioning, a computer, cell phones to charge...

            The bad news: Mrs Crumpmeier sings loudly and off key.  The good news: Mrs Crumpmeier is a faithful member of the church and is always ready to help out.

            The bad news: The Bible points out many of my personal sins and failings.  The good news: Jesus has provided for my forgiveness and helps me change into what I should be.

            Is life all bad for you?  Or do you look for the good?

                                                            ><>  Jeff