"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is today, to save many people alive."
Genesis 50: 20 NKJV
Joseph had a right to take revenge upon his own brothers. In their jealousy, they had managed to sell their young brother into slavery in a foreign land. Yet something unique happened in the midst of the evil intentions of Joseph's brothers. For as Joseph was away from his family, God was working not only on his return, but on the future of his family as well, including the redemption of his brothers for their bad intentions. I was thinking about this this past week in the midst of another tragic school shooting took the lives of 21 people. I have heard the question asked more than a few times since then, how could God allow such evil to exist? Well, the fact is that we have a huge roll to play in these situations, but more on that later. Our own understanding of God is that He is a merciful God who will not tolerate evil and wickedness. That's what we've been taught. We've also been taught that God can at times be a vengeful God. So, did one of those kids in Uvalde, Texas somehow piss off God to the point where He needed to punish them? Hardly. Knowing this, how is it that a loving and merciful God could allow such an evil person to commit such a reprehensible act? Well, remember Joseph? Remember how, despite his own tragedy, God continued to work his will in the lives of Joseph and his family for good and not wickedness? Can we entertain the possibility that through the tragedy in Uvalde that Father is indeed working for the good in the lives of those who have been hurt? I would rather entertain this possibility than thinking that our God of love would reward evil with more pain. I'm not buying that. The question then arises, what good could ever come from such suffering? That I do not know, but I trust in the Father that it will soon be revealed.
Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose.
Romans 8: 28, Concordant New Testament
I was reminded the other day by a dear friend of the words of the apostle Paul. It is Paul who reminds us that God works ALL things for the good for those who love Him {Romans 8:28}. I also understand that, in the midst of such hurt, that it can be difficult to understand just how good could rise from pain. I have seen my own share of pain, and I have also witnessed the times where God has shown me mercy and growth through these trials. Do you think that God looks upon these situations and envisions evil? No. I believe that the Father uses them in order to exhibit His love and grace. We might never know the good which will come from the tragedy in Texas but, as Paul did before us, we trust Him to use this tragedy for the good He will reveal. This is the essence of Paul's instruction in Romans 8:28, that we trust in the Father that He will reveal Himself in our times of hurt. Remember that God is "working together for the good." I don't expect anyone who has endured such pain to immediately understand what good could possibly come from it, but I trust in the Father that it will be revealed in His timing. We "see through" our pain and trust in the Father that He will work it for good. Again, this may be incredibly difficult for those who have recently experienced tragedy. However, these are the times where putting our trust in the Father may be our only option that makes sense. When Joseph's brothers stood before the most powerful man in Egypt, they had no idea that they were speaking to the young brother they had sold into slavery. When he finally revealed himself to his brothers, their expectation was that he would seek revenge for what they had done. They soon found out that God had other plans. Plans for good and not for evil.
At our not noting what is being observed, but what is not being observed, for what is being observed is temporary, yet what is not being observed is eonian.
2 Corinthians 4: 18, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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