The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

MEANT FOR EVIL, USED FOR GOOD

God rules and reigns over all things and orchestrates the events of this world to perfectly fulfill his good intentions for his creation. This hope is magnified in light of the depth of human sin and the systemic evil at work in the world. God is capable of taking every facet of life, even great evil, and working it together to accomplish his will.

This truth is demonstrated profoundly in Joseph’s life. The outcast brother, sold into slavery and forgotten in prison, finds himself second in command in all of Egypt. His brothers’ actions, though malicious, were used by God in order to position Joseph to save his brothers and his family when they needed food in order to escape the famine. While Joseph may never have chosen the path his life took, he could look back at the course of his life and see the ever-present hand of God. Joseph affirmed the grand scope of the sovereignty of God when he reassured his brothers that the things they meant for evil were ultimately under the authority of God. No evil plan of humans could thwart the purposes of a sovereign God.

God demonstrates his sovereign hand throughout the continued history of his people. He takes all things, even their rebellion, and uses them to accomplish even greater good. The greatest experience of human depravity is seen in the brutal murder of the perfect Son of God. At the cross, it would seem that the religious leaders, Roman authorities and Satan himself had emerged victorious. Yet, as with the life of Joseph, God was orchestrating these unthinkable acts in order to accomplish the great good of satisfying the wrath of God through the death of his Son.

Believers can find hope to face the complex, and often tumultuous, circumstances of life in a fallen world with the knowledge of the sovereign rule and reign of God. Paul reminds the church in Rome that in all things, even suffering and sin, “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28). God is not surprised by evil. He is not at a loss for how to respond. His plans cannot be defeated, and he will accomplish everything exactly as he intends.

Jesus, thank you for the example of Joseph. When I get frustrated with circumstances, remind me of his life, which demonstrates beyond doubt that God is in control. Amen.