“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50:20
I first heard the term “providence” when I was serving time in prison for armed robbery. I had no way of knowing then how the Lord would providentially use my sin to show His goodness and grace.
The story of Joseph in the Bible beautifully illustrates how God uses the evil purposes of men to accomplish His perfect plan of salvation. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. While a slave, Joseph was falsely accused of adultery and thrown into prison. He was later released and became the prime minister of Egypt. In God’s providence, a famine in Canaan forced Joseph’s brothers to travel there to buy food from him. The brother they tried to kill became the means God used for “the saving of many lives.”
It’s a great mystery how God can use even our sinful actions for His own glory, but it’s one of the most wondrous and basic truths of the Bible. The crucifixion of the Son of God was committed by men with “lawless hands” (Acts 2:23). But God meant it for our good (Isaiah 53:10; Ephesians 1). He saved my life, and He can save yours also.
The story of Joseph in the Bible beautifully illustrates how God uses the evil purposes of men to accomplish His perfect plan of salvation. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. While a slave, Joseph was falsely accused of adultery and thrown into prison. He was later released and became the prime minister of Egypt. In God’s providence, a famine in Canaan forced Joseph’s brothers to travel there to buy food from him. The brother they tried to kill became the means God used for “the saving of many lives.”
It’s a great mystery how God can use even our sinful actions for His own glory, but it’s one of the most wondrous and basic truths of the Bible. The crucifixion of the Son of God was committed by men with “lawless hands” (Acts 2:23). But God meant it for our good (Isaiah 53:10; Ephesians 1). He saved my life, and He can save yours also.
Scripture Focus
Genesis 50:15-21
Insight
Romans 8:28 says that God works all things together for the salvation of His people.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 1-2
- Psalm 46
- Luke 10
