Bible Studies

---

Genesis 50:20 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position to save the lives of many people.”

These are the words of Joseph to his brothers near the end of his story – after they had sold him into slavery, after he was wrongfully accused and thrown into prison, and after he interpreted pharaoh’s dreams and was put in charge of overseeing the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Even in the midst of all the bad things that happened to him at the hands of others, Joseph knew that God had a plan in mind the entire time and that he was in God’s hands. God says to us, “I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). Too often we take this to mean that no harm will some to us, but our experience contradicts that assumption. His promise to us has never been smooth sailing. Jesus said, “In the world you will have trouble, but be brave; I have defeated the world.” (John 16:33). No, we are not promised an easy journey, but we are promised a happy ending – if we are following Him. As Scripture says, “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and have been called by Him.” (Romans 8:28).

There is nothing that we go through that is wasted, for God has all things in His hands. Not only will He bring us through all that ever happens to us, but He will bring us into a position to help others because of it. Just as God allowed people to do evil things to Joseph and used it all to put Joseph in a position save thousands of lives from famine, and just as God allowed evil people to wrong and murder His Son, Jesus, and used it to save the eternal lives of all who would believe in Him, in the same way God allows trials and suffering in your life and He will use it to heal and save the lives of many. Whatever you have suffered, allow God to heal your heart and your soul and then allow Him to use you and your experiences to heal and to save countless others.

We pray, “Almighty God, our Father, maker, sustainer, redeemer – we are so relieved to know that everything is in Your hands. Right now, Lord, we lift our hearts to You – we give You our pain and our sorrow, our unforgiveness and our resentment, and we ask You to heal us like only You can. Make us whole in You. So use us, Lord. According to Your Word and Your plan, use us to reach out to those around us. Use our experiences to the benefit of others and for the good of Your kingdom. Thank You for Your promise that anything we do for You and everything we ever go through is never in vain. Help us to live our lives completely for You, full of thanksgiving and love. May our every day bring You glory. Amen.

Thesaurus Fun:

Harm – injury, mischief, damage, wound

Good – benefit, advantage, usefulness, gain

See the songs: Tears into Healing Rain, You are in Control

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE