God Works Evil for Good

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 NKJV

To say that yesterday was filled with emotion would be an understatement. I woke up earlier than usual on a Sunday morning to get in a run (after Bible study of course) and prayer time before heading to downtown Dixon, Missouri to help prepare for a city-wide church service. The second annual Cow Days Worship Service that I was blessed to emcee included four personal testimonies given by four different people from four different walks of life who had one thing in common… a love for Jesus Christ and a story of how He saved them.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

As I said, the stories may have been different but at the core of each story was this shared truth… all the evil the devil brought into the lives of these people (who are now new creations in Christ) that was intended to destroy them... the drug addiction, the imprisonments that followed, the broken families and torn relationships, the years of wasted purpose, and the many unfulfilled dreams… was turned to good by the power of Jesus Christ. And I have no doubt, these stories of redemption planted seeds of hope in the hearers of their stories… stories that will have a ripple effect in the Kingdom.

The same can be said about the story of Charlie Kirk, a man who courageously fought for truth and whose life was cut short on September 10. As I watched his memorial service with my husband later that afternoon, I observed the packed stadium and knew there were millions more watching online and outside the arena who had sought the Lord because of the death of one of God’s beloved saints, a man who served the Lord with his whole heart and “left this earth with no regrets” according to his wife Erika. 

You can be sure that the devil meant to harm the cause of Christ through the martyrdom of Charlie, but the opposite happened. “As it is this day” thousands of people are choosing to follow Jesus because of the enemy’s failed plan—and the ripple effects of the good that came out of it will be seen for years and even generations to come.

But this is what God does. He takes what the enemy intends for evil and works it for good. And, in doing so, saves more lives because of the act of evil than would have been saved in the absence of the act of evil! Only the God of all creation could do that! Is that amazing or what?

So, knowing that the chain of events that work evil for good often begins with our personal testimonies, share what God has done for you today my friend… and share it often. Our stories have the power to change lives. Especially when we add... if God can do it for me, He can do it for you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many ways You work evil for good. Throughout the pages of the Bible from the beginning of time, this promise for the believer has never failed to come true. Lord, help us to be bold in doing our part to make heaven full that we wouldn't shy away from sharing our stories, speaking the Truth, and bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!