GOD CAN TURN EVIL INTO GOOD

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

In our lives unexpected challenges, pain, and betrayal might take place. When we take the life of Joseph, we see he was betrayed his own brethren. They conspired against him and brought evil into his life. However the Lord takes that evil things into his hands and he changes them for his good. The passage reminds us that God has a sovereign plan even in the midst of adversity. A man can know what is happening in his life at present but he do not know anything about his future. Our Lord God knows about our entire life. This verse is spoken by Joseph, who endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, yet emerged as a leader in Egypt, chosen by God to save many lives during a famine. We might go through certain evil kind of situations but we need to believe the Lord will change everything into good. Today, we will explore three key lessons from this passage.

1. God’s Sovereignty Over Human Intentions

Genesis 37:24 'and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.'
Genesis 39:1 'Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.'

We see Joseph was pushed by his own brothers in the pit. Brothers who are supposed to help Joseph failed to play their role of a brother. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy and hatred. From a human perspective, their actions were purely evil and destructive. But God, in His sovereignty, used their evil intentions to accomplish His good purposes. Consider how a master artist takes broken pieces of glass and creates a beautiful mosaic. Similarly, God takes the brokenness in our lives and weaves it into a masterpiece for His glory. People might approach us with wrong intentions but the Lord will be with us and he will change those into goodness. We read Romans 8:28 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' We the children of God should believe that everything that happens in our lives is under the control of the Lord. This verse is the confirmation that Lord is in control of our lives. When others wrong us, we can rest in the assurance that God is in control. When we love the Lord with all our heart, everything will happen for good.

2.Trusting God’s Timing

Ecclesiastes 3:11 'He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.'

When we look into the life of Joseph, it took him years to be exalted from the pit to the palace. Over the course of his journey, Joseph faced a lot of people and faced many challenges. He experienced hardship and uncertainty, but he trusted God throughout the process. Even in our lives, we do not have patience to wait upon the Lord. When Joseph was pushed into the pit, he would have felt all the visions and dreams given by the Lord are contradicting. But he put his trust upon the Lord and waited for the time of the Lord. Joseph’s story teaches us that God’s plans unfold in His perfect timing, even when we do not understand the immediate purpose. Delay is not denial. God is preparing us for something greater, just as he prepared Joseph to save
countless lives during the famine. Even in our lives, we are waiting to obtain many things. However the waiting period keeps getting extended. We need to believe that the waiting period is the period of preparation for the victory. The Lord allowed certain situations in the life of Joseph to have him prepared for the exaltation. When we submit ourselves in the path of preparation, the Lord will transform our behaviour. The Lord will exalt us in this appointed time.

3.Forgiveness Reflects God’s Love

Genesis 45:5 'But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.'

If Joseph spoke this statement to his brothers, it means his heart was transformed. Since he forgave them, he was able to boldly utter these words. Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers reveals his understanding of God’s greater plan. Instead of seeking revenge, he chose reconciliation. Joseph reflects his quality of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not about excusing the wrong but about trusting God to bring justice and restoration. We read in Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Joseph exhibits his quality of forgiveness like Jesus during his time. Jesus Christ demonstrated ultimate forgiveness on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.Joseph was never vindictive towards his brothers. Even in our lives, we have certain people who we cannot forgive. Today, we need to forgive people who wronged us just like Joseph. When we forgive people, it will free us from bitterness and hatred inside our heart. It will pave way for us to inherit the blessings of God.

Genesis 50:20 is a powerful reminder that:
• God can turn evil into good.
• His timing is perfect.
• Forgiveness reflects His love and grace.

Let us trust God, even in our trials, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and our good. Amen.