You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NLT
Mary of Bethany’s heart was broken. Her brother was dying, and even though she sent a message to Jesus, their friend and healer, He didn’t come in time to prevent Lazarus’s death. She had no idea what God would do with her pain and grief. Many people came to Mary to comfort her, and to Mary’s amazement and theirs, they saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead! Seeing that changed everything. They subsequently put their faith in Him! ((John 11). God was up to something bigger in her grief than she knew.
That’s not unusual. That is God’s way! In the very first book of the Bible, the book of Genesis, a man named Joseph suffers one apparent defeat after another. His brothers hate him and steal him from his home and father. They sell him to slave traders and tell his father he is dead. He ends up in Egypt. His master’s wife tries to seduce this strong young slave, and he refuses. Enraged and humiliated, she tells her husband he assaulted her, and he has Joseph arrested and imprisoned. He is in prison for years but keeps his faith in God and becomes known for his faith and ability to hear from God, specifically about dreams. Two men whose dreams Joseph interpreted promised to mention him to the Pharoah when they were released, and both forgot. Years later the Pharoah was desperate for a dream to be interpreted, and one of them remembered Joseph. The Pharoah brought him out, and when Joseph was able to interpret the dream, the Pharoah put him in charge, second in command only to him.
The massive famine Joseph predicted happened, but Egypt had prepared as Joseph directed. His brothers had to come to Egypt to get food. You should read the whole story. It’s so major, it is the theme of Genesis 37-50. But skipping to the end, when they finally realized this amazing ruler who had complete control over their lives was the brother they had sold into slavery, their hearts melted with terror. But Joseph saw it as proof that God was working. He told them not to be afraid. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
God has always done that. He still does. Rather than seeing your struggles, grief, and pain as the end, view them as the place where God is at work. Trusting God means believing God is present and working, even when we can’t see it.
- What “dark threads” in my life might God currently be weaving together for good? How can I grow my trust and rely on God’s faithfulness instead of my own wisdom in this time?