SEEING GOD’S GOOD IN OUR BAD TIMES
Many people have seen or experienced bad things done in crises like the coronavirus. Nevertheless, the Bible says, God works all things together for good for those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28). Moreover, Jesus said, what is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Looking at how God worked bad things together for good in the past, might give us some insight into how he could work bad things together for good in today’s crises.
Joseph, a believer in God in the Old Testament, saw God work all things together for good:
JOSEPH WAS SOLD INTO SLAVERY BY HIS BROTHERS
Joseph had eleven brother who were jealous of him because their father, Jacob, loved him most. They sold Joseph into slavery, but told their father he was killed by a wild animal. Jacob was in great mourning for his son (Genesis 37:11-35).
HE WAS FALSELY ACCUSED AND PUT IN PRISON
Joseph ended up an Egypt and became the servant of an Egyptian official. Hover the wife of the official wanted to go to bed with Joseph. When he refused, she falsely accused him of trying to rape her. As a result, Joseph was put in prison, where Pharaoh’s prisoners where confined. (Genesis 39).
The Pharaoh’s chief butler and baker were imprisoned with Joseph. They had dreams which Joseph accurately interpreted for them. According to Joseph’s interpretations the baker would be hanged; but the butler would be reinstated to his former position (Genesis 40).
JOSEPH WAS BROUGHT BEFORE PHARAOH AND SAVED MANY LIVES
When the Pharaoh had a dream of seven fat and seven lean cows which no one could interpret, the butler told him about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh. Joseph let Pharaoh know he could interpret dreams, but his God could. God interpreted the dream as meaning there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Because Joseph reported God’s interpretation Pharaoh, He made Joseph second in command of all Egypt. With his God-given wisdom, Joseph stored up food in the years of plenty to feed the people in the years of famine (Genesis 41).
The famine spread to the land where Joseph’s family lived. Joseph’s father, Jacob, sent his sons (except for his youngest son, Benjamin) to Egypt to purchase food. When the bothers who sold Joseph into slavery came to him to purchase food, they did not recognize Joseph; but Joseph recognized them. However, Joseph made several maneuvers before making himself known to them, and brining all of his family to Egypt to live with him (Genesis 43-45).
GOD WORKED ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD
After their father died, the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery feared Joseph would take revenge on them. But Joseph told them: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
TODAY, THE BIBLE GIVES INSIGHTS INTO GOD WORKING THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD
In our times of crises, God tells us the vital things we need to know through his biblically inspired words (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2). Some people are convinced by studying God’s Word that God of the Bible is creator, controller and sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:16-17: Acts 17:28; John 1:1-4).
Some believe crises like the coronavirus are impossible for man (a creature of God) to solve or control without help from God. Hence they pray to God for help.
Others turn to the Lord Jesus Christ because of being persuaded that he is the only way to come to God and be saved from their sins. And to be able to live in heaven forever with God. (John 14:6; John3:16).
