Lemonade
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it
about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20
The title of this devotion is "Lemonade," but in truth, it has nothing to do
with lemons.
It has to do with potatoes.
It was the year 1853 and George Crum, a chef who was working in Saratoga
Springs, New York, was dealing with a complaining customer. It appears the
unhappy patron did not find his fried potatoes to be crisp enough.
Again and again he sent his spuds back to the chef for a reworking. Time and
again the chef had tried to make the man happy. As the interchange progressed,
both men became more and more upset.
Finally, Chef Crum broke. He threw out the old potatoes and cut some new ones.
He cut them paper thin and dropped them into ultra-hot fat. He delivered the
plate of potatoes to the surprised patron. After a bite or two, the face of the
pleased patron told Crum he had discovered something quite unique.
Indeed, he had! A complaining patron helped Crum invent America's most popular
snack food: potato chips.
That story set me to wondering, is it possible the Lord sometimes gives us
challenges so we might discover something wonderful? He most certainly did so
for the Old Testament's Joseph. You remember that Joseph's brothers had sold him
into slavery, and his master had thrown him unfairly into prison. There Joseph
had languished for years, forgotten and alone.
But Joseph did not lose faith. Instead he trusted God would use these events to
bring about a great good. This, of course, is exactly what did happen.
When His brothers stood before him, Joseph witnessed, "you meant evil against
me, but God meant it for good."
My friends, I don't know what crosses you have been given. I do know the Father
in heaven, the Father who proved His love for you by giving His Son as a payment
for your forgiveness and salvation, can use those crosses for a good purpose --
if you are patient, if you will let Him, if your eyes are opened so you might
see.
To ask for a faith that will patiently await God's plan, we pray,
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, sometimes things happen which get in the way of me seeing
You, Your love and Your plan for me. At such times, I ask that the Holy Spirit
will allow me to see clearly the Savior's commitment to me. May I see how His
cross has won my salvation? With such a sight before my eyes, I will believe
that You can also use my crosses for good. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries http://www.lhm.org/
all rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.