Genesis 50:20, 21 But as for you, ye thought evil against evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them and spake kindly unto them.
This classic verse may be used by us in various times of trouble. Joseph’s response to God’s ordering of events was simply to believe and teach: God is good! Easy to say, but not so easy to believe. God has a way of entering into our sinful world and messed up lives and making something good out of it. He knows how to make something good out of nothing good. We sin; God forgives. We break; God fixes. We write crooked; God writes straight.
The brothers were afraid to approach Joseph, fearing that in his powerful position he would take revenge. They repented and begged forgiveness. Joseph forgave, and went further, comforting and speaking kindly to them. He assured them of God’s grace and goodness, care and providence. He told them: ”Don’t be afraid of me. Fear God, and when you pay attention to Him you will find Him to be loving and kind, merciful and gracious. Trust Him.”
We respond in faith to God’s grace. Because of Christ we are not afraid to approach a holy God. We believe that He forgives, that He speaks kindly toward us, and that He means it for our good. We believe that God comes into our broken hearts and messed up lives to forgive, restore, and make it good. The Law says, ”Fear God, for you are evil.” The Gospel says, ”Fear not, for God is good.”