"But as for you, you meant evil against me,
but God meant it for good,
in order to bring it about as it is this day,
to save many people alive."
Genesis 50:20
A man said to his friend who was a Christian, "I might believe in God, if it wasn't for so much evil in our world. If God is so good, why would He be willing to have such an evil world?" The Christian said, "We must always see the difference between God's will and man's will. We are responsible for our evil deeds, and we can't blame them on God. Yet, God is always working to bring good out of evil." The other man just couldn't understand nor believe it. The newspaper daily reports stories that are filled with words and actions that are against God's revealed will in the Bible.
In the book of Genesis, the brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery because of jealousy. Potiphar's wife lied about Joseph. He found himself in prison in a far away land. Yet, God gave him favor with Pharaoh. He was released from prison to become Pharaoh's chief advisor. In a time of famine, his brothers had to come to Egypt to find food. Joseph had mercy upon them and helped them. God spared His covenant children with bread to eat. The Lord took their evil deed and brought good out of it.
When bad things happen to us, we can be sure that one day God will bring good out of it. God only allows evil in His permissive will because of a greater good to come in the future. Our attitude should be one of praise in our dark night of the soul, knowing that somehow God will bring good out of it.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). God is always up to something good. Look for God's goodness in your life.
Father, we praise You for Your goodness.
