God Meant It For Good – Sunday Thought For The Day
Genesis 50:20 KJV, is a verse that’s many times read and quoted. Let’s take a closer look at it. The verse reads: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
The verse is a summation of all the years Joseph had suffered betrayal, lies, and abandonment.
In the first portion of the verse, Joseph made clear that the treachery was orchestrated and set in motion by his brothers who at that moment stood before him: “…ye thought evil against me.” They had been tools of the devil. But, Joseph refused to respond in kind. I believe that he realized the years of his hardship were a testimony to God who had stationed him in a position to do great good and be the key part of God’s greater plan.
This is what we often forget. How often do those who claim to be believers become despondent and even angry when they believe things are not going as they want.
I have a saying that’s germane to this verse, and important for us to keep in mind when we go through difficult times. My saying is: Satan can do nothing to us without God’s permission. We see that in the Book of Job. But, and this is important to remember; God’s permission comes with conditions. God allowed Satan to attack Job, but He also set strict conditions regarding the extent of the attacks. I believe this was why Satan accused Job of only being faithful, in essence, because God protected him.
That’s the key point to take away from Genesis 50:20 (KJV). I believe it quite possible that he also realized in the most solemn of hours during those years, he wasn’t being punished for some wrong, (his pride early in his life notwithstanding), but that he was part of a greater purpose God was yet to reveal to him.
This for me, is the most important takeaway from this verse. His brothers truly thought they were plotting and conspiring against him, but in reality they were being used by God to bring about greater good, including their own preservation.
That “God meant it for good,” means that God had been not only involved, but in control of what was taking place.
Remembering this is, key to our faith. We cannot claim to have great faith, when we fail to realize/remember that God is in charge of every moment of our being. Nothing happens that He does not permit. We may not understand why He allows certain things to happen, but before we commit to doubt and despair we must remember that when sin entered the world so did the hardships and calamities we witness.
But, that in no way means God is not in control. I can tell you there isn’t one thing that I’ve suffered as a born-again Christian that hasn’t made me a better, stronger servant. It has allowed me to say, I have seen the glory of the Lord preserving me.
READ:
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
READ:
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
About the Author
Mychal Massie
Mychal S. Massie is an ordained minister who spent 13 years in full-time Christian Ministry. Today he serves as founder and Chairman of the Racial Policy Center (RPC), a think tank he officially founded in September 2015. RPC advocates for a colorblind society. He was founder and president of the non-profit “In His Name Ministries.” He is the former National Chairman of a conservative Capitol Hill think tank; and a former member of the think tank National Center for Public Policy Research. Read entire bio here
