01/06/2023
God Will Do You Good
Some experiences you have in life will make a huge impact on you. It may not seem significant at the time, but as the seed of that experience begins to grow – good or bad – it can bring consequential change to your future as you choose to go to the right or the left.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
– Genesis 50:20 NIV
In 1831, Abraham Lincoln experienced pain and horror at the sight of the first slave auction he ever witnessed in New Orleans. That moment, 13 years before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, no doubt still resounded in his mind as he penned his name to a history-making, world-changing document.
The words of Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr, stoned at the command of Saul of Tarsus, probably plagued Saul’s mind on the road to Damascus. That path brought the presence of Jesus Christ on the scene and the head-hunter of Christians became a disciple of Christ who wrote a large portion of the New Testament and united the Church in peace (Acts 9:31).
Believe God to take what was meant for evil and turn it to your good.
Joseph’s story is one of the most powerful stories in the Old Testament of someone rising above the negativity of life’s circumstances and choosing to follow God’s path. His brothers sold him into slavery (after originally plotting to kill him). He was accused of sleeping with his mistress, forgotten in prison and then eventually remembered. In spite of his circumstances, he continued to walk in God’s favor.
In the end, he was the second in command in all of Egypt, second only to Pharoah, when God used Him not only to save his brothers, who betrayed him, but the entire nation of Israel.
No matter what you’ve been through, or are struggling through now, God is able to turn it for your good.
Today’s One Thing
Take time this week to read Joseph’s story and encourage yourself to trust God. Spend time in prayer today affirming your faith by telling God, even if you don’t understand, you trust Him to turn things around for your good.
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