When Circumstances are Stacked Against You

“‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’” – Gen. 50:20

A. “You Intended To Harm Me"

EVIL is AMONG us.

“…the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 Jn 5:19)

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22)

“Evil is the force of anti-creation, anti-life, the force which opposes and seeks to deface and destroy God’s good world of space, time and matter, and above all God’s image-bearing human creatures⁠1.” – N. T. Wright, Evil and the Justice of God

B. “But God Intended It For Good”

GOD is WITH us.

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” (Gen 39:2-4)

“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden… The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Gen 39:20-21;23)

“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.’” (Gen 41:38-39)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:38-39)

C. “To Accomplish What Is Now Being Done, The Saving Of Many Lives.”

GOD will USE us.

Today’s “Big Idea”...

EVIL is among us, but GOD is WITH us and will USE us.

“I want women to know God can use everything the enemy meant for evil in their lives for good. He can take their stories of shame and redeem them-- first for their own freedom and then to help others. I want women to know that they are not less than, weaker, second, or not enough. They are created in God's image-- greatly valued, loved, chose, wanted and adored by the Creator of the universe.” – Christine Caine