God Works All for Our Good
Day 5
by Gini Crawford, MSW
posted 12/21/2016, revised 5/19/2018
The next three days we will look at three principles from God's Word that will help us to forgive.
First principle, we need to realize God works all things for our good.
With God a situation that is awful can have a positive result. A good example of this is the story of Joseph in Genesis. In short, Joseph's brothers had sold him into slavery out of jealousy when he was a teenager, and were hoping this treacherous deed would end in his death. Now it was many years later and Joseph (who is now second to only Pharaoh of Egypt) says to his brothers,
And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NASB®
Joseph's brothers were very fearful because of what they had done to him. His brothers figured Joseph would not forgive them and would get just revenge. However, Joseph did forgive his brothers because he knew God works all things for the good.
Joseph's life had many hard and unpleasant situations and events in it, but he persevered and forgave by knowing God was in control and works all things for the good. If we can realize God works all things for our good, that will help us to forgive. This is because you will know even the most horrible offense or situation, God can use for good.
God does work all things together for our good! Yet, I know at times it is hard to feel that way! I have an eye problem that could end up making my eyesight very bad in the future. And I am struggling feeling this is good! I bet you have some struggles too that don't seem good. We need to ask God to help us to believe and see that He is working all things for our good!
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NASB®
Life Application
The story of Joseph in Genesis is such a godly example of why and how a Christian should forgive. Read Genesis 50:14-21. Did Joseph's brothers have to be his slaves to earn his forgiveness, or did Joseph forgive them because of God? Joseph had a forgiving, kind and caring character; just like we are told to have in Ephesians 4:32. Do you? Like Joseph did, we can forgive if we trust that God is working good in all things.