You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Gen. 50:20)
I’ve experienced some hard, difficult, and tragic things in my life. One amazing thing about these experiences, though, is that some good has always come from them, if I take time to reflect and remember. That doesn’t mean we won’t experience genuine disappointment, pain, and trauma when bad things happen to us—we do! And knowing that God will bring something good out of the situation doesn’t always make it easier to endure in the moment. But looking back, we can often see how God used that experience to shape us. Perhaps you’ve experienced that same thing. God doesn’t cause or will those bad things in our lives, but he is able to use them for good and for his purposes.
If you’re a visual person, think about someone weaving a rug. There are all kinds of pieces of fabric made of different consistencies, colors, and lengths. However, they are all skillfully and intentionally woven together to make one work of art. In fact, the word “intended” in Genesis 50:20 actually refers to the idea of someone purposefully weaving something.
We live in a broken world where we experience pain, loss, and setback. However, God is a God who is able to weave anything for good. What the Enemy wants to put into our lives to destroy us, God wants to purpose it for saving us and others.
What the Enemy weaves for evil, ask God to weave for good.
Joel J. Gorveatte deeply loves Jesus, his wife, and the church. He serves as the worship and next steps pastor at Journey [Wesleyan] Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
