As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. – Genesis 50:20
God has a way of taking adversities and turning them around for the good. Genesis relates the story of Joseph who was favored by his father and by God. He was faithful to God and, even when intensely tempted, remained true to the Lord which landed him in some long, dark years as a prisoner in a filthy dungeon. When he became second in command in all of Egypt and was used to save the family of Israel, he was able to tell his brothers the verse for today: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”
What adversities are you facing today? Are they more minor ones like too much month for the money, or major ones like divorce, unemployment, or life-threatening illness? Remain faithful to God and trust, that as you pray, He will turn it around for the good. Be patient when you do not yet see answers to your prayers. Thirteen years passed from the time Joseph was sold into Egypt until he was freed and made national overseer.
Do you consider what is going on in this country adversity? The nation faces many problems. Bring these issues and those who are serving in positions of authority, citizens, and troops before the Lord. Be faithful to God in prayer and daily living, trusting that He can turn events you do not agree with into good. All things are possible with God. Remember Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Today’s Verse: Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 12:1-14
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
