Genesis 45

"And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life." vv.4-5

Read chapter 45.
Wow, if all of my life's troubles I could realize were for the purpose of preserving life.  How humble we see Joseph here.  He could have easily killed his brothers or make life miserable for them with the power he had, but he didn't.  He used his power to glorify God and be used by Him for His plans and not his own.  "This sing a story of rags to riches but how the Lord created a nation out of a troubled family" (NKJV study notes).  We don't hear much of the brothers reactions other than believing it really was Joseph and how they were embraced with hugs and kisses by him.  Can you imagine their awe, their regret in their souls, their joy, their minds running a thousand kilometers a second trying to grasp what's happened?  Surely this reunion of the 12 brothers binds them to honor God and follow Him and create a people after God's goodness, mercy, way.  Another picture of ultimate forgiveness and display of God's grace!  How have you preserved life in someone by having God's grace and understanding of God's greater plan?  Or how can you apply that to something in your life now?