I John 4:19 needs to become the focus of our understanding and motives: We love, because God first loved us.

Even if we get this right, people will still ask us why we think God is good.

The stories of Joseph and Jesus should give us confidence as we answer them.

Things looked awful for Joseph in the short term. ONly after many years could he understand and thank God for all that happened to him. We find this understanding in Genesis 50:20: What you [his brothers] intended for harm, God has used for the salvation of many people.

The same can be said of Jesus. He was falsely arrested and charged, killed as a criminal, and yet God used his death to ransom us from our sins.

Paul gives us a good read of all of this in Romans 8:28: "In all things, God works together with those who love him to bring about good."

We can trust God's goodness! Amen!