Genesis 50:19-20 (KJV)
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
We serve a God Who is a Specialist in bringing good out of bad or evil, the best out of the worst, and meaningfulness out of meaninglessness. As Christians, we accept that even pain, suffering, and temptation work to accomplish good for our immediate and eternal benefit. Joseph’s brothers feared his revenge after their betrayal, but Joseph forgave them and advised them to seek divine forgiveness. He comforted them and spoke kindly to banish their fears. It is undeniable that the actions of Joseph’s brothers were evil, but God sovereignly used their evil to accomplish His loving purposes. Joseph had every reason to hold a grudge against his brothers for their heinous deeds towards him. He could have harbored deep-seated anger towards Potiphar’s wife for unjustly accusing him of inappropriate behavior. He could have even contemplated retribution against the chief baker for abandoning him in prison. However, Joseph chose to rise above these injustices and trust God to fulfill His plan for His life. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
In life’s journey, not every seemingly negative situation is as bad as it looks or sounds. In fact, for those called according to God’s purpose, who love God and are in His will, every event works to deliver something good to us. Viewing every incident with our limited understanding can deceive us. God can bring out something good from the evil works of our enemies, and in the end, they end up as fools, entrapped, or misguided. In other words, all things that seem good, unimportant, and unpleasant work together by God’s design for our ultimate well-being. The purpose of God for our lives has been settled before the foundations of the world. All the things we have gone through and the people we have met in our lives – whether good or bad, are part of the purpose of God for us. Instead of dwelling on how others may have interfered or disrupted our lives, we can have confidence in God’s plan. There is no need to doubt or fear the detours along the way, as we trust that everything is happening for our ultimate good. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Although it may seem as though external factors are dictating the path of our lives, leaving us unsure of the outcome, we need not despair. By placing our trust in God, we can rest assured that He guides our steps toward a favorable destination. Whatever God allows, whether good or bad, positive or negative, is for our ultimate good AT LAST. That means the delay may not make sense NOW, but AT LAST, IN THE END, we will know it’s for our good! He makes all things beautiful in His Own Time. Never forget that the Bible says there is a season and a time for everything under the Heavens.
Beloved, every trial, persecution, hindrance, limitation, wickedness, evil, sickness, and lack can be a stepping stone to God’s glorious and expected end for your life. So, never devalue any event in your life, for they are all for good. As the devil is scheming, God tampers with his plans. By the time his plans materialize, instead of working against you as designed, the devil will see them working for your good and in your favor. If the devil had known that crucifying Jesus would bring the glorious manifestation of God’s purpose for humanity through the death of Christ on the cross and His resurrection, he would not have tried it(1 Corinthians 2:8). Even in a bad situation, God can still work out something good. The all-loving and all-powerful God is on your side to give you victory. Yours is not to understand the ways of God but to trust that He is Good, Sovereign, and working all things out for the good of those who love Him. Only those who love God have the assurance of all things working together for their good, especially those called according to God’s purpose. Therefore, ensure your love for God is sincere, for your life will never be the same, and your expectations are assured. Stay holy and in His will. Be thankful in all circumstances. Remember, God is working out His purpose for your life, and those who hate and love you are part of the plan.
O LORD, let all things work together for my good and according to Your plan and purpose in Jesus’ Name.