Genesis 50:20

It had been a long road for Joseph; it had been a desperately rough road, too. There was the slimy pit, the brothers’ treachery, the slave chains, the terrible palace temptation, and the prison cell. But what a different ending this story has: “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ . . . ‘Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you’ ” (Genesis 41:41–40). And can you not hear Joseph speaking to his brethren: “God intended it for good to accomplish . . . the saving of many lives.”

A whole life committed to God in unswerving loyalty is held as a most sacred trust. The processes used in building a great soul are varied and consume much time. Many a long road seems to have no turning.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.—Ye thought evil against me: but God meant it unto good.

All things are yours; whether . . . the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.—All things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.