Many people look at all the bad things that happen in the world and come to the conclusion that God is not always good. It is true that bad things happen in the world, even to those who we think should not. Yet the fact is the Bible tells us that God is intrinsically good, meaning that there is no evil in Him. Everything He does, even allowing calamity in our lives, is for our good and for His glory.
We see this in the example of Joseph in the Old Testament. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and taken to Egypt, where he became a servant in the house of Potiphar, the Captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard. And you think you had a bad day? It gets worse, after acting with integrity and chastity by refusing sexual advances by Potiphar’s wife, she had him sent to prison.
From our vantage point, we would think that God is not good, especially in the case of Joseph. All these bad things happened; therefore, God certainly could not have been acting in goodness toward Joseph. This is just like us to question God. Yet we do not read that Joseph questioned God. In Genesis chapters 37 to 50, you find that God was acting in goodness toward Joseph. Joseph became second in command only to Pharaoh and was used to spare Israel from suffering through a drought in the land.
When Joseph’s brothers were forced by the drought to buy grain in Egypt, they were at Joseph’s mercy. Rather than harm them and seek vengeance, Joseph trusted in the sovereignty of God, saying 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.
Whether we accept it or not, God is always good. So, when you believe something terrible is happening or has happened, take Joseph’s example in trusting God. Remember, if God has led you into a storm, He will sustain you in it or lead you out. Whatever the circumstances, we can trust that God is working and He is good.
Would you like to know more? We would love to talk with you, pray for you, and help you discover God’s truth and hope for life. Contact us at 425-432-0634 or at www.taylorcreekchurch.org. Our service times are 9 a.m. for Sunday school and 10:15 a.m. for worship. We are located at 21110 244th Ave S.E. Maple Valley.
